New Boil Water Advisory Issued In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — Residents in the Whiting section of Manchester who have city water are being told to boil their water before drinking it or using it to cook, due to a failure in the treatment system, officials said Wednesday.

Officials with the Manchester West Water Utility said the failure at the treatment plant at Schoolhouse and Conestoga roads affected disinfection of the water. That treatment plant serves parts of the township utility's Western Water Distribution System in the Whiting area.

The treatment system has been repaired and the disinfection process is working properly, but officials said the boil water advisory will be in effect until water quality testing shows the water is safe.

"A potential or actual threat to the quality of water being provided to you currently exists," officials said in a Nixle alert. "As a precaution, we are implementing a system-wide Boil Water Advisory until testing of the water supply is deemed satisfactory."

Residents in the area should bring tap water to a rolling boil for 1 minute and allow the tap water to cool before using, or use bottled water. This kills bacteria and other organisms in the water, officials said.

It is the second time in a week that portions of Manchester have been under a boil water advisory. From Sunday through midday Tuesday the Leisure Village West are of the township was under an advisory after a water main broke.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking; preparing foods; mixing baby formula, food, juices or drinks; washing vegetables and fruit; cooking; making ice; brushing teeth; and washing dishes until further notice.

Officials said residents also should:

• Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes made with tap water during the day of the advisory;
• Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking;
• Do not swallow water while showering or bathing;
• Rinse hand-washed dishes with a diluted bleach solution (one tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of tap water) or clean your dishes in a dishwasher using the hot wash cycle and dry cycle;
• 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;
• Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries;
• Provide pets with drinking water that has been boiled (and cooled).

"Please continue to boil your water or use bottled water until you are notified that the water quality is satisfactory," the alert said. "We are working as quickly as possible to restore your water quality."

Customers with questions should call Jeff Ruerup, superintendent of Manchester Utilities, at 732-914-1200.

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