PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY – Residents of Bloomfield and Picton can safely drink tap water after Hastings and Prince Edward Health Unit lifted a boil-water advisory Thursday morning.
The municipality’s Emergency Control Group met with local media shortly after noon at Shire Hall, announcing the Picton/Bloomfield drinking water plant had passed all tests, allowing the Hastings and Prince Edward Health unit to lift the advisory.
The Picton drinking water plant resumed normal operations and was reconnected to the Picton/Bloomfield water distribution system (Wednesday) evening,” he said.
Quaiff said despite the end of the boil-water advisory, the municipality will remain in a state of emergency until likely early next week to ensure no threat remains.
“Although the Health Unit has lifted the Boil Water Advisory, the County will remain in its state of emergency until such time as we are confident that contamination in Picton Bay no longer poses a threat to the drinking water system,” he explained.
“(Barge operators) McKeil Marine has retained Pinchin Limited, one of Canada’s largest environmental, engineering, health and safety consulting firms to develop and perform a water column monitoring program.
Also on Thursday, the Health Unit lifted its advisory for people with shore wells in the area.
If their drinking water has any change in taste, odour, or colour, or if a chemical sheen is seen within 50 feet (15 metres) of your well, it is recommended that they: • avoid drinking the water • use an alternate water source (e.g. bottled water, for drinking and other domestic purposes) • Contact the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060 for further information •Test your well water once the issue has been resolved.
Fire Chief Scott Manlow who is chairperson of the Emergency Control Group said he was pleased with the municipality’s role in the situation.
“Residents and businesses in Picton and Bloomfield have had to boil their water for a week now (and) to add to that, we’ve seen that many residents took great measures to conserve their water use since that initial request was made almost two weeks ago,” he said.

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The boil water advisory for Ridgewood Water customers has been lifted, officials announced Friday.
The advisory had been in place since Wednesday afternoon after Ridgewood Water officials notified residents that E.coli bacteria and fecal indicators had been found in a groundwater sample taken from the utility’s low pressure zone, which services all of Glen Rock and parts of Ridgewood and Wyckoff.
The positive water sample was taken from groundwater, meaning it was not in the utility’s main water supply.
Samples collected throughout the low pressure zone were tested and free of E.coli, Ridgewood Water said in a statement Friday.
The lab that collected the contaminated sample Tuesday, but did not inform Ridgewood Water of the contamination until Wednesday, officials said.
Officials will also review how the utility notifies customers.
"The health and safety of our customers in paramount."
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Boil water advisory lifted; state of emergency remains.
The week-long boil water advisory has been lifted however the state of emergency still remains until Prince Edward County officials are confident contamination in Picton Bay no longer poses a threat to the drinking water system.
On Thursday, Mayor Robert Quaiff and members of the Emergency Control Group updated residents on the ongoing water situation on the Picton Bay.
The water treatment plant started up again Wednesday and moments prior to Thursday’s press conference, the Hastings Prince Edward Health Unit lifted the week-long boil water advisory affecting Picton and Bloomfield residents.
Prince Edward County has confirmed that water being produced by the Picton Drinking Water Plant and water presently in the Picton/Bloomfield Distribution System meets all Provincial Water Quality Standards.
Thanking residents and businesses for their patience throughout the week-long ordeal, Mayor Quaiff said they are waiting for further water tests on the Picton Bay before lifting the water emergency.
Quaiff added they anticipate those results will made available early next week.
Mayor Quaiff again thanked neighbouring municipalities along with provincial and federal levels of government for coming to the County’s aid by offering water and completing water testing too.
He praised staff who have been working overtime along with water haulers who stepped up and have been transporting water all week to Picton.
CAO James Hepburn said it’s still too early to reveal the details of Wednesday’s talks with legal counsel but the public will be made aware of any litigation process.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: • Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled.
Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
• If tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
KDHE officials issued the advisory because of standpipe maintenance resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.
Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: • Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation, or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled.
Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

Officials in Prince Edward County are optimistic the Boil Water Advisory may be lifted as early as tomorrow. Results of recent tests at the Picton/Bloomfield Water Treatment Plant have been encouraging but until the plant is fully operational and reconnected to the distribution system the boil water advisory remains in effect. As of last reports, reservoirs…

Boil advisory issued for some Cecilia residents.
The following is a news release from the Cecilia Water Corporation: Cecilia Water Corporation has experienced a line break in the water supply system due to contractors working in the area, which caused a loss in pressure in the distribution system.
The Boil Advisory is in effect for some Cecilia Water Corporation customers: Customers affected are all customers in the area starting from 1502 Grand Anse Hwy.
(Which is Hwy 678) near Potato Shed Road going South to the intersection at Grand Point Hwy.
This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by your Water Supply owners.
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means: Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container.
(The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.
The Water Supply Providers will rescind this Boil Advisory upon notification from the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals ‑ Office of Public Health that additional water samples collected from our water supply system have shown our water to be safe.
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Boil Advisory issued for Belah Fellowship.
La.
(KNOE) – Due to Sunday evening storms, Belah Fellowship Water System has issued a boil advisory for the entire system until further notice.
There will also be periodic water outages.
Therefore, as a precaution, the Belah Fellowship Water System is issuing a BOIL ADVISORY effective immediately.
This BOIL ADVISORY is to remain in effect until rescinded by the Belah Fellowship Water System.
It is recommended that all consumers disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means: + Boil water for (1) one full minute in a clean container.
The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil.
(The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle or pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect your own water prior to consumption until you have been advised otherwise.

A boil water advisory issued on March 30 remains in place for residents connected to the Picton and Bloomfield water system despite the successful recovery of a partially submerged barge in Picton Bay on Saturday afternoon.
A bulk water station where residents can purchase potable water has been set up in Wellington at the Wellington and District Community Centre on 111 Belleville St.
The dispensing unit is coin-operated and has a one-inch connection.
The county is working to install another bulk water unit in Picton.
A statement from Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans said all hazardous materials have been removed from the vessel.
During the recovery of the barge, extra efforts were made to contain pollution in the surrounding environment, according to a statement released Saturday by the Canadian Coast Guard.
Additional floating barriers and special vacuums were deployed to collect any run-off from the barge.
"Through expertise and teamwork we were able to re-float the barge safely," Chris Kirby, director of project management at McKeil Marine Limited, said in a media release.
The barge was repositioned closer to the dock and had two pipe sections removed to make it easier to lift, according to the release.
The deck of the barge is now fully out of the water.

As a result of the discovery of a foul odor in the Picton raw water sampling line (an early warning system), the County has taken the additional step of stopping water production at the Picton Drinking Water Plant.
The County will begin shuttling treated water from other potable water sources today; as a result, a precautionary boil water advisory for all customers connected to the Picton/Bloomfield Drinking Water System has been implemented by the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit.
Mayor Robert Quaiff’s full comments from his Thursday afternoon press conference can be heard below.
Indications of contamination from the sampling line served as a warning to ensure that no contaminants were drawn into the intake itself.
· The Boil Water Advisory will remain in place until such time that it is lifted by the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit.
· Once the Boil Water Advisory is lifted, communications will be shared through local media outlets, social media and The County’s website.
At that time, affected users are recommended to flush household plumbing through the cold water tap until water runs cold to the touch.
· The County is committed to providing a consistent supply of safe drinking water to all consumers of The County’s municipal drinking water systems.
· Anyone with the ability to transport more than 5,000 gallons of treated water is encouraged to contact the County – additional haulage capacity would be welcome.
1023 or info@pecounty.on.ca.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The City of Asheville announced a Boil Water Advisory for the Erwin Hills area Friday. This advisory affects schools in the area, including Clyde A. Erwin High and West Buncombe Elementary. The city said Friday afternoon that a private contractor was drilling and hit the water line. City crews are working to repair the break and restore water to the area. Students at Eblen Intermediate are drinking bottled water due to the water main break. Parents have expressed concern over expired bottled water. The…