LAWRENCE COUNTY, OH – Aqua Ohio’s (Aqua) Lawrence County division has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for Aqua customers in Lawrence County and asks customers in the area to conserve water until the notice is lifted. Approximately 3,300 customers are affected.

A valve has failed in the water line that supplies customers in Lawrence County, and higher elevations of the distribution system lost water pressure. This loss of pressure can enable bacteria to enter the system. Once Aqua replaces the valve and restores pressure, the company will perform a series of tests to confirm that the water meets regulatory drinking water standards.

Aqua advises customers in the affected area to use bottled water or boil their water until Aqua receives clean test results from water samples. Aqua will notify customers when the advisory is lifted. Customers are being notified through the media and through Aqua’s notification system, WaterSmart Alerts.

All water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes and oral hygiene should be brought to a full boil for 3 minutes and cooled before using it. It is not necessary to boil water for other uses. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that might be present in the water.

While the boil advisory is in effect, Aqua also recommends that customers to throw away beverages and ice cubes if made with tap water; keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking; do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing; provide pets with boiled water after cooling it; do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling; and use only boiled water to treat wounds.

Once test results confirm that no bacteria are present, Aqua will notify customers through the media and Aqua’s WaterSmart Alert system. Customers who have not signed up to receive WaterSmart Alerts by phone, email or text message may do so by calling customer service at 877.987.2782.