Livingston County residents are being told to boil their tap water before using it.
Officials issued a boil water advisory saying "boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food until further notice."
The notice applies to Saxony, Wilmor & Meadows Subdivisions, and neighborhoods north of Lee Road between Rickett Road east to Whitmore Lake Road.
Here's what happened, according to county officials:
At about 8:00 am on October 21, 2019 the water system lost pressure due to repairs to 4 – 5 water main valves, replacement of one fire hydrant and a small corporation stop leak. The water will be turned back on the evening of the 21st and again the water will be turned off Tuesday October 22, 2019 for replacement of valves not accomplished on Monday. Finish up work will happen on Wednesday the 23rd but at this time it is not anticipated that the water will have to be shut down.
When water mains lose pressure, it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter your water. Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms and may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. But these symptoms are not just caused by microbes in drinking water.
It is likely neighbors will need to boil water for the next 72 hours until the problem is fixed, according to officials.
Stay with 7 Action News to be informed when tests show that you no longer need to boil your water.
