BOIL WATER ALERT ADVISORY ISSUED FOR RASPBERRY FALLS

PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR RASPBERRY FALLS

Issued in response to discolored water experienced earlier today

Loudoun Water has issued, effective immediately, a precautionary boil water advisory for the Raspberry Falls community.  The precautionary boil water advisory will be in effect until acceptable water quality is confirmed by testing.  We expect this process to take 48-72 hours. 

On Monday, August 8^th, Well PW-2 was taken offline for scheduled maintenance.  On the morning of Tuesday, August 9^th, high turbidity was experienced in a portion of the system during routine monitoring.  Because Well F was the only well servicing the system at the time, it was taken offline to assess the situation and determine the source of the problem.  Because the situation may involve a break in one of the system’s raw water supply lines, Loudoun Water is issuing the Precautionary Boil Water Advisory.

To continue supplying the community with water with both wells out of service, the emergency interconnect with Selma Estates was opened.  Because the interconnect is for emergency use only and will not support widespread irrigation use, Loudoun Water is asking the Raspberry Falls community to stop irrigating their properties for at least the next 72 hours.  Well PW-2 is being brought back into service to remedy the situation, however, this process will take approximately 72 hours to complete. 

While the system did not lose pressure, the possibility of a break in one of the system’s raw water supply lines creates an increased risk of contamination.  Although we do NOT have an indication that the water system has been contaminated, as a precaution, Loudoun Water recommends that residents in Raspberry Falls should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and cool before using.  If you cannot boil your water because of a power outage, then bottled water should be used. 

Only boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation. After the interconnect was opened, Loudoun Water flushed the system to eliminate the discoloration.  Therefore, if you experience discolored water today, let your taps run until the water runs clear.

We regret the inconvenience that this may cause.  Loudoun Water will provide regular updates and post information online at loudounwater.org.  A complete list of Frequently Asked Questions is attached and is also available online.  Customers can also contact Loudoun Water’s Customer Service at (571) 291-7880.  For emergency calls after hours, please contact (571) 291-7878.