What to Know
- A groundwater source sample shows the fecal indicator E. Coli in a low pressure zone of the system that includes 3 NJ towns
- Customers should boil water for a minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water, Ridgewood Water says
- E. coli microbes can cause short-term health effects like diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms
A boil-water order has been issued in some New Jersey communities after E. coli was detected in the water system that serves them.
Ridgewood Water says a groundwater source sample shows the fecal indicator E. Coli was detected in a low pressure zone of the system, which include portions of Ridgewood and Wyckoff, and all of Glen Rock.
The sample was collected April 4 from a raw groundwater source before any treatment. The source water well has been shut down as it's being cleaned, and Ridgewood Water says it anticipates resolving the problem by Friday.
Customers should boil water for a minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water, Ridgewood Water says. Bottled or boiled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.
E. coli microbes can cause short-term health effects like diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms, and may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
