Boil Water Advisory for Fairview, Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Leonia

Jul 21, 2022

DRINKING WATER WARNING

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

E. coli was detected in water serving Veolia customers in Fairview, Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Leonia

BOIL WATER PRIOR TO DRINKING WATER

 

Our water system recently detected E. coli within the distribution system. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. A sample collected on July 19, 2022 and repeat samples collected on July 20, 2022, with results generated on July 21, confirmed the presence of E. coli.

Contact a Customer Service Representative at (800) 422-5987 or [email protected] for questions or to obtain a translated copy of this public notice.

Comuníquese con un Representante de Servicio al Cliente al (800) 422-5987 o [email protected] si tiene preguntas o para obtener una copia traducida de este aviso público.

질문이 있는 경우 고객 서비스 담당자에게 (800) 422-5987 또는 [email protected]으로 연락하여 본 공고문 번역본을 받으십시오.

On July18, Veolia Hackensack experienced a controlled watermain break in Ridgefield, Repairs were made and the water main was placed back into service on the 19th, however, E. coli was detected in samples collected from within the area of the break. A test for E. coli takes 24 hours to generate a result.

What does this mean?

*E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.*

These bacteria can make you sick and are especially a concern for people with weakened immune systems. Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.

The symptoms above 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 from their healthcare providers about drinking this water.

What should I do?

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER

Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute 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, food preparation, and provided to pets until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

What is being done?

Veolia is continuously monitoring and testing the system and we will inform you as soon as the boil water advisory is lifted.

We will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within the next few days.

Only a portion of our service area is affected, specifically Fairview, Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Leonia  

For more information, please contact a Customer Service Representative at (800) 422-5987 or [email protected] for questions or to obtain a translated copy of this public notice. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by bacteria and other disease-causing organisms are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*

This notice is being sent to you by Veolia Hackensack; PWSID#:NJ0238001.

Date distributed: July 21, 2022.

 

Frequently Asked Questions during a Boil Water Advisory

Q: Why did Veolia issue a Boil Water Advisory?
A:
Officials from Veolia issued a boil water advisory today, July 21, 2022 until further notice to residents in seven municipalities as a result of a confirmed presence of E.coli in a water sample after a main break in Ridgefield.

What Municipalities are Affected?

Fairview, Cliffside Park, Ridgefield, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Palisades Park and Leonia

Q: What is a Boil Water Advisory?

A: Boil Water Advisory is a recommendation made by the municipality to protect the health of its people. Residents are instructed to bring tap water, even if it is filtered, to a rolling boil for one minute and allow it to cool before using for the following: drinking, cooking, or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, handwashing dishes, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets, and all other consumption. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may be present in the water.   Water does not have to be boiled for showering or washing clothes.

Q: When is a Boil Water Advisory recommended?

A: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommends Boil Water Advisories when there is a potential risk of contamination in the water supply.

Q: What to do when a boil water notice is issued?

A: Residents are instructed to bring tap water, even if it is filtered, to a rolling boil for one minute and allow it to cool before using for the following: drinking, cooking, or baking, making ice cubes, taking medication, brushing teeth, handwashing dishes, washing food, mixing baby formula or food, mixing juices or drinks, feeding pets, and all other consumption. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may be present in the water.   Water does not have to be boiled for showering or washing clothes.

Wait for the water to cool before using it, or store it in the refrigerator in a clean container.

Q: What can I drink during a Boil Water Advisory?

A: You can drink tap water if it has been boiled for one minute. Cool and store all boiled water in a covered container. If you do not wish to boil your water, you may choose to buy commercially packaged water for drinking.

Q: How does boiling make my tap water safe?

A: Boiling the water kills microorganisms such as bacteria that can cause disease. Boiling makes the tap water microbiologically safe.

Q: Can I boil water in the microwave?

A: Tap water can be boiled in the microwave in a microwave-safe container, provided that the water reaches a full rolling boil for one minute.

Q: How will I know when the Boil Water Advisory has been lifted and water is safe to drink?

A: Veolia and your municipality will notify the community when the water is safe to drink without boiling. Until you are notified, continue to boil all tap water for one minute before use.

Q: What do I do when the Boil Water Advisory is lifted?

A: After a notice has been lifted, you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure that no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines for flushing:

• Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute

• To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard

• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle

• Run drinking water fountains for one minute

• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

 

 

Specific Questions

Q: I drank the water before I realized there was a Boil Water Advisory. Am I going to get sick?

A: If you drank the water before hearing of the advisory, your risk of becoming ill is low. Anyone experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, with or without fever, should seek medical attention. Advise your health care practitioner that you have consumed tap water during the Boil Water Advisory. These symptoms are not unique to exposure to potential contaminants/organisms in the water, and a doctor's involvement is key to identifying the cause of your illness.

Q: Do I need to boil water before using it to wash vegetables that will be eaten raw? What about the water used in cooking?

A: Boil all of the tap water you use for washing raw vegetables. All tap water used in cooking must first be boiled for one minute, unless the cooking process involves boiling for one minute or more.

Q: Should I boil tap water for brushing my teeth? For hand washing? Is any special soap necessary?

A: Yes. Any tap water that might be swallowed should be boiled before use. It is not necessary to boil the tap water used for washing hands, and no special soaps are necessary.

Q: Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?

A: The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water. You can use the water for bathing as long as you do not drink it. Supervise babies and children during bathing to ensure that they do not drink the water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry.

Q: I have a dishwasher. Is it safe to use during a Boil Water Advisory?

A: If your dishwasher has a hot/sani-cycle then it can be used, it safely disinfects dishes. If it does not have this setting, after the final cycle, soak dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 30ml (1 oz) of bleach mixed with 13.5 liters (3 gallons) of lukewarm water. Let dishes air dry.

Q: During a Boil Water Advisory, how come restaurants/food premises are still open?

A: When there is a Boil Water Advisory, restaurants/food premises are given very specific requirements from the Health Department. These orders will ensure that the foods being serviced to the public remain safe.

Q: How long is boiled water safe to drink?

A: As long as the water is protected from contamination, it should remain safe to drink. Once the water has been boiled, cover it and place it in the refrigerator for future consumption.

Q: Can my pets drink the water?

A: Pets should be provided boiled water, or water from an alternate source until the boil water advisory is lifted.

Q: How do I safely prepare my baby’s formula during the Boil Water Advisory?

A: Sterilize all bottles, rings, utensils and nipples in boiling water for two minutes. The water mixed with the formula should boil at a rolling boil for at least two minutes, this will sterilize the water.

Q: Can I use my coffee maker?

A: Most residential coffee makers are not capable of maintaining high temperatures for a long enough period of time to make the water safe to drink. Coffee and tea can be made by using water that has been brought to a rolling boil for a period of one minute or bottled water. If using an automatic shut off kettle, make sure the water has boiled for one minute.

Q: Can I use my activated charcoal filter system (i.e. Brita or other brand names) to treat my water during a Boil Water Advisory?

A: No. These filters are not designed to remove contamination from an unsafe water supply. If you have run the water through your filter during the Boil Water Advisory it could be contaminated. It is recommended that you discard the filter and replace it with a new one once the Boil Water Advisory is over.

Q: Should I be concerned if the water is yellow?

A: No, the color of the water should not affect its safety provided it has been boiled for a period of one minute.

Q: How long will the need to boil water continue?

A: The advisory will not be lifted until we are certain the water meets stringent water quality standards. Public notification will be given when the boil water notice is lifted.

Q: How can water be safe for my skin, hair and clothes yet it’s harmful to my eyes or mouth?

A. Please reach out to the health authorities who can provide further clarification. On our side, we will continue to communicate any changes to the situation and we will let all residents know when the boil water advisory is lifted.

 

 

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