Two days after a boil-water notice was lifted, Lockport Township residents are being advised to, once again, adhere to a boil-water precaution.

-by  Jef Rietsma, originally posted on August 14, 2016

Two days after a boil-water notice was lifted, Lockport Township residents are being advised to, once again, adhere to a boil-water precaution.

The notice was issued Sunday afternoon by Jennifer Ransbottom, director of utility management services for Jones Petrie Rafinski.

She said the circumstances related to the latest issue are nearly identical to the boil-water notice in effect Aug. 7 until Friday last week.

Ransbottom said the township water system on Sunday lost pressure due to an equipment malfunction. Consequently, neither of two wells used to fill the tower activated, exhausting the tower’s water supply.

As soon as the equipment malfunction was discovered, both pumps were running to begin filling the tower and water started returning to customers on the system.

During the low-pressure period, however, there is a chance that fecal coliforms and e. coli bacteria could have gotten into the system, according to the notice. Therefore, in compliance with state requirements, the boil-water notice is in effect as a precautionary measure.

Fecal coliforms and e. coli are bacteria whose presence indicate that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms.

They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.

The order recommends potentially affected customers bring water to a boil and allow it to boil for at least one minute, then let it cool before using.

Bottled water is also a recommended alternative.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.

Ransbottom said coliforms are usually a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or water pipes.

Questions can be directed to Ransbottom at 574-849-0004, or the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, at 269-567-3612.