PRECAUTIONARY DRINKING WATER WARNING
Why you are receiving this notice
The City of Newport Water Division public water system consumers are advised, as a precaution, not to drink the water without boiling it first. Two water main breaks occurred, a 24-inch main and a 12-inch main. Both mains have been repaired and water service has been restored. This notice remains in effect as a precaution while water samples are processed.
When a water main loses pressure, untreated water or other contaminants can potentially enter the pipes. Boiling the water as a precaution protects against any bacteria or organisms that may have entered the system during the pressure loss. This is a precautionary notice. It does not mean contamination has been confirmed.
OR SEEK ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES
What should I do?
Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using — or use bottled water. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
- Use boiled or bottled water for drinking
- Use it for making ice
- Use it for brushing teeth
- Use it for washing dishes
- Use it for food preparation
You may still
✓ Shower in the water
✓ Wash your hands
Do not
✕ Consume this water without boiling it first
Please supervise young children while they are using water.
Affected areas
Two water main breaks have occurred, affecting two areas. Both areas are under the boil-water notice. If you are unsure whether your address is affected, follow this notice as a precaution and contact the number below.
Area 1 — West Main Road corridor (24-inch main)
Area 2 — Valley Road corridor (12-inch main)
Health information
A loss of pressure in the distribution system can allow bacteria or other organisms to enter the water. Boiling the water kills these organisms and makes it safe to use. If contaminated water were consumed without boiling, possible symptoms could include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and young children may be at increased risk and should seek advice from their health care providers.
Discolored water in other areas
Repair work can change the direction water flows through the mains, which may stir up sediment and cause temporary discolored or cloudy water in parts of the system that did not lose pressure.
This is a temporary aesthetic issue, not a health concern. These areas are not under the boil-water notice.
If your water appears discolored, run your cold water tap until it clears before using it, and avoid washing laundry until the water runs clear.
What is being done?
All water main repairs are complete and water service has been restored. There are no active shutdowns. As the system returns to normal, some customers may see temporary discolored water (see above); this is aesthetic and not a health concern. Water samples have been collected and are being processed. Under Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) requirements, this notice will remain in effect until two rounds of water samples collected 24 hours apart show the water is safe and RIDOH authorizes lifting the order. Because of the required sampling, the boil-water notice is expected to remain in effect for approximately 2 to 3 days. You will receive written notice when the notice is lifted. Continue to boil your water until you are notified that the notice has been lifted.
Guidance for your situation
Select the tab that applies to you. Each tab covers what to do while this notice is in effect and what to do after the notice is lifted.
While the notice is in effect
Use boiled (rolling boil for one minute, then cooled) or bottled water for drinking, cooking, food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth, infant formula, rinsing dishes by hand, and washing fruits and vegetables.
Tap water is fine for: washing clothes, showers and baths for adults and older children, toilets, watering lawns and gardens, cleaning surfaces, and pets.
- A dishwasher may be used if it has a sanitizing cycle. If not, hand wash in warm soapy tap water and rinse in pre-boiled or bottled water.
- Bathe infants and young children with pre-boiled or bottled water, or give sponge baths, so they do not swallow tap water.
- Ice makers, coffee makers, and other appliances plumbed to the water line should not be used unless the water reaches a boil for one minute.
- Do not use filters to make water safe. Filters do not remove bacteria.
- Pets are generally unaffected, but you may give boiled or bottled water out of caution.
After the notice is lifted
- Run each cold-water faucet/tap for several minutes before use.
- Run water dispensers 3 to 5 minutes; run ice makers at least 30 minutes and discard the first batch of ice; clean and sanitize the ice bin.
- Replace any water treatment / filter cartridges.
- Use cold water for cooking and drinking, not water that has been sitting in a hot water tank.
While the notice is in effect
To keep operating, all of the following must be in place:
- Water for drinking or cooking must be boiled for one minute, or use bottled water from an approved company. Ice must be from an approved source.
- Do not use chemicals to disinfect water for cooking or drinking, and do not rely on filters. Neither disinfects the water.
- Ice machines plumbed to the system: shut down, clean, sanitize, leave off until the notice is lifted.
- Soda machines plumbed to the system: shut down, clean, sanitize, leave off. Sell only bottled or canned soda.
- Coffee machines plumbed to the system: use only if water reaches a boil for one minute; otherwise use bottled or pre-boiled water.
- Vegetable and fish/shellfish spray units: shut down, clean, sanitize, do not use until the notice is lifted.
- Cooking: tap water is acceptable only if the product will be boiled at least one minute. For items not boiled (e.g., baked goods), use bottled water.
- 3-bay sink / in-place sanitation: acceptable at proper sanitizer levels — 50 to 100 ppm chlorine, 200 ppm quaternary ammonia, or 12.5 ppm iodine.
- Automatic dishwashing: chlorine-sanitizing and hot-water-sanitizing machines may continue; leave utensils to air dry.
- Hand washing: warm soapy tap water is acceptable; bactericidal soap recommended.
After the notice is lifted
- Flush all faucets/taps and water lines before use.
- Return ice machines, soda machines, and spray units to service only after cleaning and sanitizing per the manufacturer’s procedures.
- Discard the first batch of ice; sanitize ice bins and external filters; change filter cartridges.
Center for Food Protection questions: 401-222-2750.
While the notice is in effect
- Provide boiled or bottled water for drinking, food prep, and making ice.
- Post the notice where staff, students, patients, and visitors will see it.
- Do not use appliances plumbed to the water line (dispensers, ice makers, coffee machines) unless the water is boiled first.
- Hand washing with warm soapy tap water is acceptable.
After the notice is lifted
- Water dispensers / ice makers: clean and sanitize with one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water, following the operator’s manual. Run dispensers 3 to 5 minutes; run ice makers at least 30 minutes; discard the first batch of ice; wash and sanitize in and around the ice bin.
- Sanitize external filtering devices on ice machines and change filter cartridges.
- Replace any water treatment filter cartridges.
- Run all faucets/taps 10 minutes before use.
- Run any emergency eye-wash stations and showers not used during the notice for 10 minutes.
- Use cold water for cooking and drinking, not water from a hot water tank.
Please share this information with everyone who drinks this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). Post this notice in a public place or distribute copies by hand or mail.
