October 3, 2023
Notice to Customers of City of Petersburg Waterworks
BOIL YOUR TAP WATER
Failure to follow this advisory could result in stomach or intestinal illness.
The Virginia Department of Health, in conjunction with the Petersburg Health Department and Petersburg Utilities Division Water System, advises residents in the Bank and Sycamore Streets area who recently were without water due to a water line break to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. This precaution is necessary because a water line repair resulted in loss of pressure.
DO NOT DRINK TAP WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage, food preparation, and ice-making until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling is the preferred method to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink. Bring all tap water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, and then cool before using, or use bottled water.
If you cannot boil your tap water:
- An alternative method of purification for residents who do not have gas or electricity available is to use liquid household bleach to disinfect water. The bleach product should be recently purchased, free of additives and scents, and should contain a hypochlorite solution of at least 5.25. Public health officials recommend adding 8 drops of bleach (about a teaspoon) to each gallon of water. The water should be stirred and allowed to stand for at least 30 minutes before use.
- Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer's instructions.
We will inform you when you no longer need to boil your water. To address this problem, we are flushing the system, sampling for chlorine, and completing the required bacteriological testing. We anticipate resolving the problem within 24 to 48 hours.
For more information, contact Jerry Byerly, Petersburg Director of Public Works, at:
jbyerly@petersburg-va.org
804-733-2320
1340 East Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
Please share this information with other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.