Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: December 27, 2007 (12:30 pm)
Contact: Carol Hall-Walker, 401-639-5137 (HEALTH)
Owen Bebeau, 401-641-9089 (Woonsocket EMA)

NEWS UPDATE

BOIL-WATER ADVISORY STILL IN EFFECT FOR
EAST WOONSOCKET RESIDENTS SERVED BY DIAMOND HILL WATER SYSTEM

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) boil-water advisory for residents of the small area of East Woonsocket affected by the water line break is still in effect.   As a precaution the Water Division advises residents in the affected areas to rapidly boil any water used for drinking or cooking for a minimum of 1 minute until further notice.  While water has been restored residents residing in the affected area of East Woonsocket may use the water for sanitary and bathing purposes.

“Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may have gotten into the water system as a result of flushing the system,” explains Anthony L. Cirillo, MD, Director for the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “The Advisory will remain in place until test results show the water is safe to drink,” he added.

RI HEALTH and the Woonsocket Water Division will make a joint decision about a recommendation on the appropriate time to lift the boil-water advisory, after all appropriate test results have been evaluated. The public will be informed when the water is deemed safe to drink without boiling.

East Woonsocket residents affected by this advisory must boil their tap water for one minute. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, food preparation, and bathing of infants until further notice. Infants should be bathed in water that has been boiled for one minute and then allowed to cool down.

Kids and adults can bathe in tap water if they are careful not to swallow it. Use boiled or disinfected water or a hand sanitizer for hand washing.

Water can be used with soap for laundry and general cleaning at this time. Dishwashers with a sanitizing cycle can be used to wash dishes and pots and pans. Hand-washed dishes should receive a final rinse of boiled and cooled water, or bottled water.

There is drinking water available for affected residents at the Woonsocket Fire Station at 804 Mendon Road. One bottle of water per individual, per household will be given out.

RI HEALTH will continue disease surveillance, and will take appropriate steps, should it become necessary.

Any individual who has been in contact with, or consumed water from this system, and is experiencing any unusual symptoms is urged to contact their physician or go to the Emergency Room.