A spill caused by a water main break near Sudden Valley has created a potential health risk to residents who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom without treatment, according to a news release from the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District.
Those who get their water from Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District or the City of Bellingham do not need to boil their water.
Crews reported that wastewater was seeping out of the ground between the pump station and a ditch at a rate of 20 gallons per minute, according to the news release.
A day later on Friday afternoon a resident called the district to report wastewater entering the roadside ditch at the same location. Crews stopped the spill by 5 p.m. Water was redirected to flow to another sewer force main and the ditch was again disinfected.
Some 45,000 gallons of water spilled into the ditch at a high flow rate because the pipe was pressurized.
Residents who were affected were notified on Thursday and Friday.
Sections of pipe are fused together with what are called butt joints, Sorensen said.
Sorensen said the pipeline was installed in 2002.

UPDATE: Thousands of people are boiling water Wednesday after Polk County officials issued a boil water advisory.
The advisory started Tuesday after filtration problems and down water pumps shut down the water plant.
Officials with the McCaysville water service told Channel 3 the heavy amount of rain recently played a role in shutting the plant down.
Copperhill residents get their water from McCaysville.
However, they still have to boil it in order to drink it.
"Well we were hoping it was just one day,” The Copper Grill employee, Shelly Utley said, “But today’s day two, so it’s getting a little aggravating."
The city is going to have to haul water in from another location, due to the City of McCaysville water pumps being down and are experiencing filter issues. The City Clerk says they cannot pump any water from their system.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La.
Plaquemines Parish officials said the boil-water advisory is in effect for all areas that are under a mandatory evacuation ahead of Nate making landfall.
Areas include the Dalcour Water System, Pointe a la Hache Water System, Port Sulphur Water System and south of Oakville only in the Belle Chasse Water System.
Residents will be experiencing lower than normal water pressure in some areas of the parish. Power failures are also expected to cause extremely low water pressure or no water pressure in some areas.
"Because of the low pressure, the water supply is of questionable microbiological quality," parish officials said in an update.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La.
Plaquemines Parish officials said the boil-water advisory is in effect for all areas that are under a mandatory evacuation ahead of Nate making landfall.
Areas include the Dalcour Water System, Pointe a la Hache Water System, Port Sulphur Water System and south of Oakville only in the Belle Chasse Water System.
Residents will be experiencing lower than normal water pressure in some areas of the parish. Power failures are also expected to cause extremely low water pressure or no water pressure in some areas.
"Because of the low pressure, the water supply is of questionable microbiological quality," parish officials said in an update.

SOUTH HAVEN, MI — Two school districts have canceled school Friday due to a water main break in the South Haven area.
South Haven Public Schools and Covert Public Schools are canceled Oct. 6 because of a boil water advisory, according to the district websites.
The city of South Haven issued the boil water advisory Thursday due to a water main break near 9235 Blue Star Highway.
However, the boil water advisory could be in effect until Sunday, Oct. 8, according to a news release.
The city is required to perform bacteriological testing over a 72 hour period before rescinding the notice.

Health First facilities affected include Care Coordination at Palms Point, Pro-Health & Fitness Center in Melbourne and Health First Medical Group’s Gateway facilities, including the laboratory and HFnow Urgent Care.
On Thursday, the City of Melbourne had a water main break at the water production facility that hampered their ability to put water into the system and to produce water.
Water service has been restored, but crews are still working to determine the cause of the break and to repair the break.
“We urge all customers to conserve water and use as little as possible until the water main can be repaired,” said City officials.
A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used.

SOUTH HAVEN, MI — Two school districts have canceled school Friday due to a water main break in the South Haven area.
South Haven Public Schools and Covert Public Schools are canceled Oct. 6 because of a boil water advisory, according to the district websites.
The city of South Haven issued the boil water advisory Thursday due to a water main break near 9235 Blue Star Highway.
However, the boil water advisory could be in effect until Sunday, Oct. 8, according to a news release.
The city is required to perform bacteriological testing over a 72 hour period before rescinding the notice.

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) –Pennsylvania American Water has issued a boil water advisory on Thursday night for customers in portions of Lower Providence Township.
The advisory was issued following the loss of water pressure in one of its storage tanks today. Approximately 750 customers are affected.
“A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow by back‑pressure or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms,” officials said in a news release.
These organisms include bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
Residents are urged to bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water. You should use boil or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice.

LOWER PROVIDENCE >> Pennsylvania American Water today issued a precautionary boil water advisory for customers in portions of Lower Providence Township following loss of water pressure in one of its storage tanks.
Pennsylvania American Water experienced a loss in positive water pressure on October 5, due to an issue at one of its storage tanks. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.
These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
Pennsylvania American Water crews have corrected the issue and restored water pressure to the storage tank.
We will inform you when the corrective actions have been completed and you no longer need to boil your water. This information will also be provided on Pennsylvania American Water’s website at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com, under the Alerts Notifications section.

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) –Pennsylvania American Water has issued a boil water advisory on Thursday night for customers in portions of Lower Providence Township.
The advisory was issued following the loss of water pressure in one of its storage tanks today. Approximately 750 customers are affected.
“A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow by back‑pressure or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water might contain disease-causing organisms,” officials said in a news release.
These organisms include bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
Residents are urged to bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and cool before using, or use bottled water. You should use boil or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice.