MATTHEW BURNETTE

Staff Writer

A Boil Water Advisory has been issued by the Manchester Water and Sewer Department for part of the New Union area until further notice due to a loss in pressure resulting from a water main break on Woodbury Hwy Sept. 16, that also led to the closure of New Union Elementary and Coffee County Middle.

While a short-term repair has been made to the water main, located just passed Coffee County Middle School, the Water Department says that the loss of pressure may cause backpressure, back siphonage, or a net movement of water from outside the pipe to the inside through cracks, breaks, or joints in the distribution system that are common in all water systems.  

The release from the Water Department says that type of system failure carries with it “a high potential that fecal contamination or other disease-causing organisms could enter the distribution system” that could cause “imminent and substantial health endangerment to persons served by the system.”

The Boil Water Advisory affects the area north of 2312 Woodbury Hwy, including: Sunset Dr, Fine St, Greenbriar Ct, Maple Springs Rd, Maple Springs Dr, Meadowland Ct, Crosspark Dr, Goodman Trace, Winton Way Rd, New Union Heights, Park Creek Rd, Hideout Rd, Brandon Rd, Courtnea Ln, Roberts Creek Cir, Andy Ln, and Red Oak Dr.  

Residents are advised to bring all water to a rolling boil for at least (3) three minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.

It is also advised to discard all stored water, drinks containing city water and ice. Residents who are served by lead-lined pipes should let their water run for two minutes before boiling and preferably should filter their water with an NSF / ANSI Standard 53 Lead-Certified Filter before boiling.

The advisory notes that inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms.

These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems.

It also states that those symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

The Water Department notice says that samples have been obtained and submitted for testing, and residents will be updated with the findings. No known contamination has been found at this time, and the advisory was issued just as a precaution.

Residents will be informed when they no longer have to boil their water.