MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Two water systems recently detected E. coli within the distribution system and a boil water advisory is effect until further notice, township officials announced Monday.
The two areas affected are listed below:
Main Water System:
- Cloverhill Development
- Flanders Crossing
- Regency at Flanders and Marveland Crescent Development
- Overlook Apartments
- Main Street and Park Place
- Mountain Avenue
- Laurel Drive
- Chestnut Way and Red Maple Lane
Village Green Water System:
- Village Green Apartments & Stores
- Mountain Ridge Development
- Lucas Lane, Old Budd Lake Road, and Ringenbach Lane
What does this mean?
E. coli are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of 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.
What should I do?
- Do not drink the water without boiling it first.
- Bring all water to a rolling 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, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the 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 is being done?
- Mount Olive Township is completing a comprehensive assessment of our water system and of our monitoring and operational practices to identify and correct any causes of the contamination.
- The township is increasing sampling for coliform bacteria in the distribution system to assist in determining the cause of the contamination.
“We will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water and/or use bottled water. We anticipate resolving the problem within a week’s timeframe,” township officials siad.
For more information, contact Michael Lata at 973-584-7086 or 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Budd Lake, NJ 0782 or via email at mlata@mtolivetwp.org. 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.
