Residents along several streets in Ringgold should boil their tap water before using it, according to a Pittsylvania County Service Authority advisory.
Authority Director Chris Adcock said all repairs to the water main along Tom Fork Road have been completed, and the water line is being flushed.
However, water customers living on McCain Drive, Bennie Drive, Mount Zion Circle, Ringgold Depot Road and Tom Fork Road are at risk of stomach or intestinal illness if their tap water isn’t purified before drinking it as a result of the break.
The tap water should be brought to a roiling boil and remain at that level for at least one minute before using.
The water main break occurred on Thursday after Tropical Storm Michael passed over the region, bringing with it historic rainfall and heavy winds in the span of a few hours.
If boiling the tap water isn’t an option, the advisory stated residents can use bleach or water purification tablets to clean the water.
When using bleach, the advisory said the product should be recently purchased, free of additives or scents and have a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.35 percent.
The advisory said the mixture should be stirred and let stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
Adcock said the boil water notice will also be handed out to water customers door to door.
“If the results are not satisfactory, you will be given further instruction on the PCSA website (pcsa.co),” stated the notice.