The Boil Water Notice for City of Burlington water customers is now lifted, which applies to Elon University’s main campus, the towns of Elon and Gibsonville and other surrounding communities. Tests on water samples have come back clean and no E. coli is present in the City’s water distribution system.
According to a release from the city, “water is safe to consume, to bathe in, to cook with, to wash dishes with, and to give to pets without flushing water lines or taking any additional measures.”
Out of an abundance of caution, the Facilities Maintenance department at Elon University will be flushing all water lines on campus this evening through early tomorrow morning.
The E. coli contamination was limited to a single pipe connected to an outdoor spigot at an apartment building near downtown Burlington. The spigot is one of over 200 locations tested regularly and was sampled twice to confirm the presence of E. coli. A Boil Water Notice was required for the entire water distribution system because state and federal regulations require one while further testing is completed.
The spigot has been replaced and City Water Resources crews believe the contamination was due to decaying insect and organic matter creating a blockage in the spigot.
Local businesses and restaurants cannot return to full operations until steps required by the Alamance County Health Department are completed.
Additional information can be found on the city of Burlington website.