Bottled/boil water advisory issued for Paddock Lake municipal water system users

/Photo by Daniel West via stock.xchng

Note: Update 3:30 p.m. with additional info. — DH.

Paddock Lake has issued a bottled/boil water advisory for customers of the village’s water utility.

The water system experienced a loss of water pressure today at 2:35 a.m.

Those effected should boil tap water or use commercially bottled water for drinking, food preparation and making ice. If you boil water, the water should reach a rolling boil for at least one minute, then cool. Any old ice, food and beverages prepared with water since 2:35 a.m. should be discarded.

The advisory remains in effect until further notice.

This only affects customers of the village water system, which serves residents on the east side of the lake. People on private wells are not affected.

Village officials said the advisory is a precaution. “When a loss of pressure occurs, small leaks may allow contaminants to enter the pipes from the soil or from bad plumbing connections,” a statement issued by the  village said. “It also stirs up sediment and iron that sometimes form coating inside pipes. These contaminants are usually quickly flushed out and any bacteria are killed by chlorine. Yet we do not want to use the water for drinking until samples prove the water is safe.”

The water is OK to use for flushing, washing and showering except for infants, immune compromised individuals or persons with open sores or wounds, the statement said. Dishes may be washed only if thoroughly dried or if a high temperature automatic dishwasher is used or if a capful of chlorine is added to the rinse water.

Water samples will be collected and it will take a minimum of 24 hours after the samples are collected for results to be known and for the advisory to be lifted.

After repairs are made and normal pressure is restored user may notice cloudy water or a strong chlorine smell.