Update: October 1, 5:25 p.m.:
At this time the boil water notice is still in effect for customers of the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia Tech and Montgomery County Public Service Authority Waterworks. As of this afternoon, water treatment levels have stabilized at the New River Valley Regional Water Authority.
However, several key steps must be achieved before the boil water notice can be lifted. First, all water supply lines must be flushed, meaning existing water in the lines will be emptied through a variety of outlets to include fire hydrants and flushing valves. Then, the Authority and its members have to complete two rounds of testing on the water supply systems. Each round of testing takes up to 24 hours to complete. Once the water testing is complete and VDH determines the water is safe for consumption, then the boil water notice will be lifted. Multiple tests over 24 hour periods may be necessary to ensure the water is safe for consumption.
As a result, we anticipate the process to lift the boil water notice will continue through the weekend. Please make preparations to boil your water through the weekend.
Thank you for your continued patience as crews continue to work throughout the day and night to resolve this issue in our community.
VDH Boil Water FAQs: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/boil-water-faqs/
Resource for restaurants: https://restaurant.org/education-and-resources/resource-library/what-to-do-when-a-boil-water-advisory-is-issued/
Update: October 1, 9 a.m.:
The boil water
notice is in effect for the Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia Tech and Montgomery County.
Again, this boil water notice will remain in effect until safe drinking water test results occur from water sampling tests conducted by the Virginia Department of Health. All water samples collected will meet state and federal drinking water standards before the boil water notice will be lifted.
Q. I consumed water prior to the boil water notice being issued on September 30. Was it safe?
A. Per the New River Valley Regional Water Authority, water that was treated up to when the boil water notice was issued met the regulations. However, water that was working its way to the system as the boil water notice was issued did not meet the regulations. Per the New River Valley Regional Water Authority, it takes time for the water to make its way out into the system, which is why they issued the boil water notice when they did out of an abundance of caution for our community’s public health and safety.
Q. Do I need to boil my water for my coffee?
A. Yes. You will need to heat your water to boiling (212 Degrees Fahrenheit) for at least a minute prior to consuming it.
Q. Can I shower/bathe in the water?
A. Yes. It is safe to bathe/shower and wash your hands in the water.
Q. Can I wash my dishes in the tap water? Or do I need to boil it first?
A. You do not need to boil your water prior to using it to wash your dishes. You can wash your dishes with hot tap water using anti-bacterial soap. The Virginia Health Department states you can use your tap water to wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water. Or, you can choose to add a tablespoon of household bleach such as Clorox to a sink full of warm tap water and soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute. After you wash the dishes, allow dishes and utensils to air dry completely before reuse.
If you use an electric dishwasher, but be sure to use it with its heating elements turned on. If your dishwasher reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius) or if it has a sanitizing cycle option, it is generally safe to use. If you are unsure if your dishwasher has these features, after a washing cycle, you may rinse your dishes in a sink full of warm tap water with a tablespoon of bleach added and air dry completely for extra precaution.
Source:
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/drinking-water/boil-water-faqs/
Q. If I have a private well, do I need to boil my water?
A. The boil water notice issued by the New River Valley Regional Water Authority applies to their customers. The New River Valley Regional Water Authority supplies water to the Town of Blacksburg, the Town of Christiansburg, Virginia Tech, and the Montgomery County Public Service Authority. If you own a private well and have questions about your water supply, please contact the Montgomery County Health Department at contactnrhd@vdh.virginia.gov or 540-585-3300.
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Posted: September 30, 2024:
Notice to Customers of The Towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia Tech and Montgomery County Public Service Authority Waterworks
The New River Valley Water Authority has issued a boil water notice effective immediately, September 30, 2024, for all customers throughout Montgomery County.
This boil water notice will remain in effect until safe drinking water test results occur from water sampling tests conducted by the Virginia Department of Health. All water samples collected will meet state and federal drinking water standards before the "boil water" notice will be lifted. At this time, it is unknown when the boil water notice will be lifted. However, please plan on boiling your water for minimum of 48 hours.
Instructions for boiling water:
- Prior to drinking water from the PSA's water system, bring the water to a rolling boil for approximately one minute. This will help destroy bacteria that may have contaminated the drinking water.
- Caution: Use extreme caution with boiling water to avoid burns. Allow the water to cool before using.
- Hot tap water is not a substitute for boiling water. Water from a water heater is not intended for drinking.
- Additionally, if your freezer has an automatic icemaker, discard all the ice cubes and turn off the icemaker until the "boil water" notice is lifted.
If you cannot boil your water:
If you do not have access to gas or electricity to boil water, the NRV Regional Water Authority has provided the following water purification instructions:
- An alternative method of purification for residents that do not have gas or electricity available is to use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25%. Public health officials recommend adding 8 drops of bleach (about ¼ teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
- Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Potable water is available at the following locations: local grocery and convenience stores.
Learn more at the Virginia Department of Health.
View the New River Valley Regional Water Authority notification.