by Lorena Inclan, originally posted on October 14, 2016

Hurricane Matthew has not only left homeowners with property damage but now we’re learning its flooding is causing a major health concern.

Capt. Paul Flateau of Putnam County Emergency Management Services said well water may have been contaminated during the storm.

“If the head of the well was under water for any amount of time, it could’ve gotten contaminants in it and also if the power was out for any amount of time,” said Flateau.

Flateau said microscopic bacteria and parasites may have seeped into well water because of the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew.

“Twenty-five to 50 people have been treated with signs and symptoms of the water-borne illnesses but because we didn’t know that they were on well water. They were never tested,” said Flateau.

There’s no way of knowing if those people got ill after drinking contaminated well water but officials are erring on the side of caution.

Getting the word out is key, which is why Flateau is working with the school district to create a video warning homeowners.

If you’re on well water and you experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and in some cases, fever, you should see a doctor.

“We want them to get it tested and disinfected prior to them drinking and getting sick from it,” said Flateau.

The warning only applies to those using private well water.

St. Johns County is also warning people who are on septic tanks and private drinking wells about the concerns however. So far, however, there have been no reports of illnesses in that county.

By Shellie Sylvestri, originally posted on October 14, 2016

TALLULAH, La. (KNOE) – The boil advisory for Tallulah, La. has been lifted, but many residents and business owners  in the area are frustrated with the City of Tallulah Water System leaving the city with brown water for the past week.

Mayor Paxton Branch says he is thankful residents remained patient as the situation was resolved… for now.

“The most important thing is that the boil advisory has been lifted, so it’s safe to drink the water as well as utilize the water. So, it’s really good and businesses will be glad to hear that,” says Branch.

Marlin Evans is a small business owner in Tallulah; he sells cubed ice in bags and bulk. He says when Tallulah’s water turns brown, he is forced to shut down his business.

“This is Flint, Michigan in Tallulah, Louisiana,” Evans says. “Anytime there’s a boil water alert we have to shut the machine down.”

Evans also has to deal with the water at home.

“I go home and take showers a lot of times, and you look down in the drain and it is brown – literally brown,” says Evans.

Last weekend, one of the City of Tallulah Water System’s filters went down, turning the city’s water brown. The city did not go under boil advisory until Monday, forcing everyone to use brown water for several days.

Mayor Branch says the system’s filter system has been repaired, but the system is old and definitely needs improvements.

“Our system is about 69 years old. Therefor, we’re dealing with parts that we don’t know when they’re going to go out. You know, it’s just an old system, and we just thank most of our constituents and our clients for just being patient with us, understanding that this is not in our control,” says Branch.

KNOE reached out to The City of Tallulah Water System for comment, but received no answer.

Originally posted on October 14, 2016

Attention Town of Clayton water customers in Riverwood, Riverwood Havens and Riverwood Ranch: Tests on the water samples taken in your neighborhoods have come back and the boil water advisory has been lifted for your area. You no longer need to boil water before consuming. We appreciate your patience as we worked to ensure your water was safe to drink!

You may still have air in your lines, that air can cause cloudiness in the water. So you may want to flush your faucets. Beginning with the faucet that’s highest up in your home, turn on the COLD water tap and run the water until you feel a change in temperature (as in..the water gets noticeably colder). This may take several minutes. Do this for each of the faucets in your home, again, moving from the highest floor to the lowest floor.

Does your water have a smell?  The smell is probably chlorine. Johnston County treats the Johnston East water system, which serves Riverwood, with chlorine to disinfect the pipes.

What about my water filter?  Read the owner’s manual for directions to clean appliances such as water softeners and filter units.

How about ice?  Since water dispensers and ice makers are connected to your water line, you need to flush and clean them.  Follow the directions in the owner’s manual or: Change the filter cartridges, throw out existing ice, flush the water dispenser for 3 to 5 minute, run the ice maker for 1 hour, throw out all that ice and then wash and sanitize bin areas.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Stacy Beard, Public Information Officer for the Town of Clayton at 919-358-0348 or email info@TownofClatyonNC.org.

NO OTHER Town of Clayton water customers are under or have been under a boil water advisory, including neighborhoods along Glen Laurel Rd inside the Town limits.

We’re all getting our water from Johnston County Utilities – but they have two systems in the county. As this map shows, the majority of  the Town of Clayton town limit served by the West Johnston County System (in white on the map to the left). Riverwood and the rest of the county are on the East Johnston County Water System (the area in beige).

If you are confused about whether you are still under a boil water advisory…the best thing to do to is call the town or company who sends you a water bill.

• If you pay your water bill to Johnston County Utilities, you need to call Johnston County Utilities at  919-989-5075 or go to its website.  Johnston County Utilities is notifying its direct customers that they have lifted the boil water advisory, except for about 111 customers who should have received a notice on their door.
• If you pay your water bill to Aqua, call Aqua at 877.987.2782 or go to its website http://www.aquaamerica.com/ – That company has apparently lifted the boil water advisory for its customers in the Flowers Plantation area and elsewhere.
• If you pay your water bill to another other Johnston County town – call that town directly.
• If you don’t get a water bill because your landlord takes care of the water – you need to call their landlord.
• If you have private well-water for a drinking source, have experienced flooding and suspect the well may be contaminated, you should continue to boil water before consumption.  Contact Johnston County Environmental Health for guidance and water storage procedures at 919-989-5180. Bacteriological water sample fees are being waived for the flooded well inspections until the state of emergency is lifted.  Call ASAP. Go to this website for more info on well water safety – http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/private-drinking-wells.html

Even though all the towns and Aqua buy water from Johnston County Utilities and that’s where we ALL get our water here – it’s up to the providers (like the Town of Clayton or Aqua) to do the water testing.  Johnston County did their own testing, we’re doing our own testing, Aqua is doing its testing. Hope that makes sense.

Here’s a good list of Q & A from the Centers for Disease Control.

After a Boil Water Advisory is Lifted:

• When I turn on the faucet, the water sputters. Why?   You have air in your lines. Turn on your tap slowly and run the water until the sputtering stops.
• The water is discolored. What should I do?  Flush water pipes by running the water until it is clear.  Do not wash clothes if the water is discolored. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap. Wash a load of dark clothes first.
• Why does my water have a strong smell? The smell is probably chlorine. Often, water systems will increase chlorine levels to disinfect the pipes.
• What should I do if my water pressure is low?  Check the faucet screens for trapped particles. Remove the screens and clean out any particles. Put the screens back on the faucet.
• Do I need to clean out my faucets?   Yes. You should flush your faucets after the drinking water advisory.
  • Turn on the main water valve.
  •Turn on the cold water tap at all faucets and run the water until you feel a change in temperature (i.e. the water gets noticeably colder). This may take several minutes. Begin with the faucet that is highest up in your home or building and then open the other faucets one at a time moving from the highest floor to the lowest.
• Do I need to clean appliances?  Yes. Read the owner’s manual for directions to clean appliances such as water softeners and filter units.
• My refrigerator has a water dispenser/ice maker. Do I need to clean them?  Yes. Water dispensers and ice makers are connected to your water line. You need to flush and clean them.  Follow the directions in the owner’s manual or: • Change the filter cartridges. • Throw out ice. • Flush the water dispenser for 3 to 5 minutes. • Run the ice maker for 1 hour. • Throw out all the ice. • Wash and sanitize bin areas.
• Do I need to do something for the water softener?  Yes. You may need to run through a regeneration cycle. Follow the directions in the owner’s manual.
• I have a water treatment unit for the house. Does it need special care?  Yes. Change the filter cartridges. Some units need disinfecting. Follow the directions in the unit’s owner’s manual.

Originally posted on October 14, 2016

LAKEVIEW-MIDWAY, Ark. — (KTLO) Lakeview-Midway Public Water Authority has issued a boil water notice due to a break in the water main.

According to KTLO, the area from Cedar Hills west to the end of River Road tap water will need to be boiled because of the possibility of contaminated water that may have entered through the distribution system.

Water must be boiled for one minute before using and only boiled water for making ice. The notice will remain in effect until the problem is resolved.

Effective immediately the City of Fernie has downgraded the Boil Water Advisory issued October 9, 2016.

-Originally posted on October 13, 2016

Testing shows that current water quality is ‘Fair’ with turbidity or cloudiness.

Health risks increase as turbidity levels rise. Interior Health recommends that children, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and anyone seeking additional protection drink boiled water or a safe alternative until further notice.

For these at-risk populations, water intended for drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice, or brushing teeth should be boiled for one minute.

Interior Health has been fully involved and the public will be notified when conditions change or water quality has improved.

by Jacob Heller, originally posted on October 14, 2016

LE MARS, IA — UPDATE: Several businesses planning to close for the weekend in Le Mars are now keeping their doors open.

It all started after the city had planned construction to replace water pipes in the downtown area on Central avenue.

Businesses like the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor had planned to close most of the weekend, but now have kept their doors open after city water officials told them they found an alternative way to do construction without shutting the water off.

PREVIOUS STORY: Parts of downtown Le Mars will need to boil water before use, at least for a few days.

The city is upgrading the distribution system with new main valves.

A new fire hydrant will also be put up at the intersection of Plymouth Street and Central Avenue.

The water will be turned off for roughly four hours today, starting at 5:00 PM.

Once it comes back on, homes and businesses will need to flush water lines until the water is clear.

Due to the work, the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor on Central Avenue will be closed starting at 4:00 PM today.

It should re-open at noon Sunday.

The boil advisory is in effect until the weekend.

Originally posted on October 14, 2016

FAIR BLUFF, NC (WECT) – A majority of citizens have had water service restored in the town of Fair Bluff, according to Mayor Billy Hammond.

Hammond says at this point, everyone who has water in the town is encouraged to boil it before using.  That boil order is expected to last at least 48 hours at this point.

Fair Bluff has been one of the hardest hit areas in our region due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew.

By Robert Joseph Baker, originally posted on October 13, 2016

Wyboo Pointe residents and those adjacent to that system will need to continue to boil their water until notified otherwise.

Bacteriological samples were collected Thursday afternoon by the Clarendon County Water Department and analyzed by the city of Manning.

“The results of the sampling indicate that the system for Eagle Pointe, Wyboo Plantation, Quail Ridge and Lake Marion Shores water systems and adjacent areas served by these water systems is now safe to use for drinking and cooking purposes,” according to Billy Timmons.

No ending time frame for the boil water advisory for Wyboo Pointe has been given.

By WSAV Staff, originally posted on October 13, 2016

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – Officials with Hilton Head PSD says customers no longer need to boil their water.

They do ask that customers limit their water use to essentials.

Water pressure is still at 50% of normal pressure and say that limiting usage will return pressure to normal levels.

Originally posted on October 13, 2016

Aqua North Carolina has lifted its boil advisory for customers in Brookwood community and Brookwood South, affecting more than 18,000 people. Aqua lifted a Cliffdale West boil advisory on Wednesday. The Cliffdale West system serves about 15,000 people.

Four smaller Aqua systems in Cumberland County remain on a boil advisory, affecting about 660 people:

• Raintree
• Kelly Hill
• Bretton Wood Hill
• Woodland Run

The Fayetteville Public Works Commission lifted its boil advisory on Wednesday evening.

Cumberland County’s four emergency shelters remained operational as recovery efforts continue from flooding caused by Hurricane Mitchell.

At noon today, 110 people housed in them, according to a release from the Emergency Operations Center.

Several residents have had concerns about the delivery of mail. The U.S. Postal Service is visiting shelters and giving information on how to file a change of address form for those who may have to live elsewhere temporarily.

The form can be filed online at www.usps.com.

Those who are without Internet service should get a form at the nearest post office, fill it out and drop it off. Call 1-800-275-8777.