2009 News
April 8, 2009
Water Main Break at Bucks County Parking Garage Construction Site Necessitates Boil Water Alert for Local Businesses in Doylestown
Today, as construction on the new Bucks County parking garage in Doylestown Borough progressed, a contractor struck a water main that has affected three commercial buildings. The Bucks County Health Department reports that water has been shut off to those businesses, and the Doylestown Borough Water Department has issued a boil-water alert that those affected should follow once water is restored. There are no residences affected.
Health Department officials offer the following general information and instructions:
To purify water, boil for three to five minutes, and then allow it to cool before drinking. Pouring water back and forth between two containers will improve the taste by putting oxygen back into the water. Some precautions to take until the order is lifted:
- Do not drink tap water
- Do not use ice made from recent tap water
- Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks
- Do not allow water to contact open wounds. Otherwise, wash your hands and bathe as usual
- Wash dishes, fruits and vegetables in boiled water or water that has been disinfected with bleach
- Brush your teeth with boiled water or commercially bottled water
- Cook with tap water ONLY if the food will be boiled for at least one minute
- Bathing is safe as long as no water is swallowed
The water department will lift the order when test results come back negative for any traces of contamination. According to Director of Operations Jerry Anderson, the break will not have any effect on construction, which is ahead of schedule.