SANDY CREEK – Residents of the villages of Sandy Creek and Lacona are being advised by the Oswego County Health Department to continue to boil all water used for drinking and cooking due to a water main break in the municipal water system last week. This order has been extended until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12.
Officials said the water system lost pressure on Thursday, June 6, which increased the chances that untreated water and harmful microbes could enter the system. The water main break has been repaired and officials are now waiting for final test results of the water.
Residents are advised to let water boil for one minute before using it, or to use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.
According to Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang, “Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not just caused by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.”
Residents will be informed when tests confirm that no harmful bacteria are in the system and they no longer need to boil their water.
For more information, contact the Sandy Creek/Lacona Joint Water Works at (315) 387-5781 or the Oswego County Health Department at (315) 349-3557.
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