Map shows states with new drinking water warnings

Water advisories were issued in several cities across the United States on Friday due to operational problems and water main outages at local water departments.

The advisories come as parts of the Midwest and Northeast are still dealing with low temperatures into the weekend. In New Jersey, a boil water advisory was issued for thousands of customers in the towns of Clifton and Paterson Thursday night due to a water main rupture. Officials lifted the advisory Friday morning.

Here is a list of states where water advisories are in effect as of Friday night.

North Carolina

Parts of Durham, North Carolina, were placed under a boil water advisory after officials said service problems led to low pressure and outages in the city. As of 5:00 PM EST Friday, the advisory was still in effect for parts of northwest Durham. Officials said in an update that they are waiting for water sampling results to “confirm” they can end the advisory. The city hopes to have sample results by Saturday morning.

“This advisory is preliminary,” read an alert from Junior Mobley, Durham’s water and sewer maintenance supervisor. “We believe our water met and continues to meet all water quality standards throughout the advisory.”

Mobley’s alert states that extended periods “of low or no pressure in the distribution system increase the potential for back siphoning and introduction of bacteria into the water system.”

“Therefore, the Division of Water Resources advises that when water is restored, consumers should boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food) or use the water in bottle”, says the announcement. “Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.”

Virginia

Residents in Martinsville, Virginia, were placed under a boil water advisory after a water main break caused a citywide outage. City officials advised residents to boil their tap water “before drinking, drinking and eating.” Failure to follow the warning “may result in stomach or intestinal illness,” the city’s release said.

Officials said they are working to repair the broken water line and will update residents once the boil water advisory is lifted.

Officials in Wise County in southwest Virginia also issued a boil water advisory Friday afternoon after a water main break. The county’s public service Facebook page said, “Customers should not drink tap water without boiling the water for at least one minute and letting it cool before drinking.”

South Dakota

City officials in Aberdeen, South Dakota, issued a boil water advisory Thursday after a “large diameter” water main break caused little or no water pressure for some residents. That advisory was moved Friday, according to a report from Dakota News Now, and city officials said the boil water order could be lifted as soon as Saturday after water sampling is complete.

“If you have experienced low or no water pressure, it is recommended … that customers boil all water used for food preparation, brushing teeth, ice making and drinking until further notice,” a statement said. from the city’s Department of Public Works.

New Mexico

Several regions in New Mexico have been under a boil water advisory since Tuesday as wildfires burn out of control in the southern part of the state.

The State Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Drinking Water said the fires could contaminate some water systems. Residents under the advisory “are advised to seek alternative sources of drinking water to ensure public health and safety,” according to a release from the New Mexico Department of the Environment.

Systems under advisory as of Friday night are: Ruidoso Water System; Alto Lakes Water and Sewer District; Tall Pines Water Association; Cedar Creek; Alpine Village; Smokey Bear Ranger Station; High Country Lodge; Eagle Creek Shell Convenience Store; Eagle Creek Sports Complex; and the Gavilan Hills Water Association. Over 24,000 residents are affected.

“The water from these systems can be used for other activities, such as washing
clothes and dishes, and general non-potable uses,” officials said. “Avoid washing infants and young children with this water. People who are immunocompromised/immunosuppressed and/or have open cuts, wounds or sores should not use the water for bathing until they have been notified that the water is safe.”