The Cayuga County Health Department on Tuesday ordered residents of the town of Throop Water District No. 1 to boil all water for drinking and cooking purposes until further notice.

This does not affect customers in the town of Throop who receive their water from the Cayuga County Water and Sewer Authority.

The order was the result of a water main break in which the system lost pressure. To fix the line, the water had to be turned off. When the distribution pipes and mains lose pressure, it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes could enter the system.

The health department said not to drink the water without boiling it. It said to bring all water to a boil, for one minute, and let it cool before use.

The health department said bottled water certified for sale by the state Department of Health is alright and added boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms, the health department said. They may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not just caused by organisms in drinking water. If anyone experiences any of these symptoms and they persist, seek medical advice.

The health department will announce when the boil water order will be lifted after tests confirm that no harmful bacteria are in the system.

It is anticipated that the problem will be resolved within three days.

To learn more

For more information, contact the town of Throop at 252-7373 or the Cayuga County Health Dept. at 253-1405.