Boil Water Advisory issued in Ossining after water main break

OSSINING (WABC) -- Some Westchester County residents are being told to boil their water after a main break Thursday night left the supply open to contamination.

The Boil Water Advisory is in effect through Sunday in the Village of Ossining.

Residents should boil water for at least one minute before drinking it or using it to cook, brush teeth or wash hands.

About 5,000 people are affected by the water main break on Route 134.

Restaurants, delis, bodegas and all food service establishments in the affected area must also boil water before serving it or using it to prepare food.

Residents can also use bottled water as an alternative to boiling.

The advisory does not extend to bathing, clothes washing or the use of a dishwasher. Residents who have concerns about using the water should follow up with their doctor.

In an abundance of caution, the boil water advisory was issued to protect from potential contamination caused by ground water infiltration into water mains as a result of the reduction in water main pressure due to a water main break.

Once the Village of Ossining Water Department completes repairs to the water main, water will be flushed from the mains through some fire hydrants in the area.

Once that flushing is completed, the Westchester County Department of Health and the Village of Ossining Water Department will take water samples throughout the affected area, early this morning. Those samples will be tested at the Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant laboratory for coliform bacteria.

There is a 24-hour turnaround time for the bacteriological testing, and a second round of satisfactory test results will be needed before the health department can lift the advisory.

Updates on the repairs will be provided by Ossining as they become available.

Updates to the boil water advisory will be provided by the Health Department as needed. For more information, residents should contact the Village of Ossining Water Department at 914-941-4661 or visit their website at VillageOfOssining.org.