Precautionary Boil Advisory Issued for Marion, Prospect, Caledonia, Martel

Aqua Ohio Water Company’s (Aqua) Marion District is issuing a boil water advisory for customers Marion service area after a water main break at approximately 7:00am on Friday, January 11, 2013. As a precaution, Aqua has issued a precautionary boil order for customers in the area to boil their tap water before drinking.  This precautionary boil advisory will remain in effect until 9pm on Saturday, January 12. (Previous update included an incorrect ending time.)

The break has been isolated and the system has been repressurized with service restored to all but 15 customers as of Friday morning. When a water main is depressurized, the Ohio EPA requires a water utility to issue a boil advisory.

All water used for drinking, cooking and oral hygiene should be brought to a full boil for a minimum of one minute. It is not necessary to boil water for other uses.

Aqua Ohio says that boil advisories are issued as a precaution with a customer’s best interests in mind. It’s possible, but unlikely, bacteria could enter the water system when pressure in the line drops below 20 psi. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may be present in the water.

While the boil advisory is in effect, Aqua also recommends that customers:

• throw away beverages and ice cubes if made with tap water;
• keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;
• do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing;
• provide pets with boiled water after cooling;
• do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms;
• and use only boiled water to treat minor injuries.

During the precautionary boil order advisory, the company performs a series of tests to confirm that the water meets regulatory drinking water standards. Water samples will be collected and tested within the affected area. The boil advisory will remain in effect until 9pm on Saturday January 12 unless otherwise notified by Aqua.

Customers who have questions may call the Aqua Customer Service Center toll-free at 877.WTR.AQUA (877.987.2782).