Time Broadkiln Beach and PrimeHook water customers should continue to avoid drinking water from their taps, health officials said Monday, three days after high levels of E.coli bacteria was detected.
The system has been treated and is being tested, but for the time being, residents should rely on bottled water or boil their water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation, officials said.
Andrea Wojcik, spokeswoman for the Division of Public Health, said water samples were collected on Friday and the results came out negative for the bacteria.
But the state is required to collect two consecutive negative water samples before people can begin drinking the water again, she said.
The first hint of a problem came Wednesday, July 18 when a routine sampling included a positive for the presence of coliform but was negative for E. coli.
The Office of Drinking Water has so far not found a specific reason for the contamination.
Drinking contaminated water can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches.
While Broadkiln and Primehook are owned by a private company, public drinking water systems are required to conduct regular tests for bacteria, nitrates and other contaminants through the Office of Drinking Water.
David Wilkinson, owner and operator of both companies, said a chlorine treatment system has been put in place.
He declined to say how much the treatment system and disinfection has cost.