Public Drinking Water Systems Under Boil Advisory

State Department of Public Health officials have placed 69 small public drinking water systems in Connecticut under a "water boil advisory." The agency warns residents that after Tropical Storm Irene, water from public water supplies and private wells may be contaminated.

The East Haddam Elementary School and the Nathan Hale-Ray Middle School are included on the list as a precaution, as required by state law.

In advance of today's announcement, the town was already prepared with 5 bottled water systems, per school. Each school also is equipped with a supply of 25, 5-gallon bottles.

Linda Zemienieski, assistant to First Selectman Mark Walter, has been providing information to residents throughout the storm and its aftermath on a variety of town related, storm questions.

"We knew we were going to have to flush the water systems for the schools after the storm and have plans to do so," she said.

"In the meantime, the bottled water is in place in case we need it. With school not openning until next week, pending power, this is just a precaution we were prepared for."

The Department of Public Health makes the following recomendations after a major storm:

• Hurricanes, especially if accompanied by a tidal surge or flooding, can contaminate the public water supply. Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. You cannot assume that the water in the hurricane-affected area is safe to drink.
• In the area hit by a hurricane, water treatment plants may not be operating; even if they are, storm damage and flooding can contaminate water lines. Listen for public announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply.
• If your well has been flooded, it needs to be tested and disinfected after the storm passes and the floodwaters recede. Click here for information on well disinfection.