By Heather King, originally posted on October 11, 2016

GREENVILLE, NC (WITN) People in parts of 23 counties, many in Eastern Carolina, are being told to boil their water before using it.

“Boil water advisories are issued if there is a possibility of contamination in the drinking water system that could make you sick,” said state health director Randall Williams, M.D. “This could lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea. Following local advisories is important to keep you and your family healthy in the aftermath of flooding.”

Boil water advisories are currently in place in portions of the following counties: Bladen, Carteret, Chatham, Chowan, Columbus, Cumberland, Currituck, Duplin, Franklin, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lenoir, New Hanover, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Wake, Wayne and Wilson. The latest information on water systems is available here.

There is no boil water advisory for the City of Jacksonville or for customers in the ONWASA system.

There are currently only two areas of Chowan county under the advisory. The two areas include Yellowhammer Road, Morris Town Road, Chambers Ferry Road and Morris Lane.

In Wayne County, there is a boil advisory for customers of Belfast-Patetown Sanitary District, Eastern Wayne Sanitary District, Northwestern Wayne Sanitary District, Southeastern Wayne Sanitary District, Southwestern Wayne Sanitary District, Fork Township Sanitary District, Town of Eureka, Town of Fremont, Town of Pikeville, and Village of Walnut Creek. Line breaks are reported at the following locations:
• 2 in the Grantham area at Selah Church Road and Westbrook Church Road
• I on NC 111 South near Cliffs of the Neuse
• I on Woodpeck Road at US 70 and Ditchbank Road
• I on Nor Am Road at Bayer Science Labs.