SPRINGPORT, N.Y. — Some residents in Cayuga County are being asked to boil their water or use bottled water after a pipe malfunction Saturday, according to the health department.
Residents in the Springport Water District 1 — the Village of Union Springs and people living along Route 90 north and south of the village — are affected by the advisory.
The water system lost pressure during a water line repair, which could have allowed untreated water with harmful microbes to get into the drinking water, said Kathleen Cuddy, the county’s public health director.
The microbes can cause diarrhea, nausea, cramps, headaches or other symptoms that could be worse in children, older adults and people with poor immune systems, the department stated.
Health officials said people should allow water to boil for one minute before using it, and that boiled or bottled water should be used for cooking, drinking, making ice brushing teeth or washing dishes until further notice.
The Cayuga County Health Department will notify residents when the boil water advisory has been lifted, but said it could be in place for a few days while pipe repairs are finished and samples are done of the drinking water.