The Cayuga County Health Department on Saturday advised residents of the Village of Union Springs public water system and residents within the Town of Springport Water District Number 1 to boil their water after a loss of pressure due to a water line repair.
The advisory said that tap water should be brought to a rolling boil, boiled for one minute, and cooled before using. Another option would be using bottled water certified for sale by the state Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.
The water system lost pressure due to a water line repair. When water mains lose pressure it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter your drinking water.
Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms and may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. But these symptoms are not just caused by microbes in drinking water.
The health department said that once the repairs are completed, the Village of Union Springs and Town of Springport will take samples to confirm there is no contamination in the distribution system. It is anticipated that the Boil Water Order will remain in effect for a few days.