Residents of Lynnfield who reside in the LYNNFIELD WATER DISTRICT are subject to a boil-water order as the result of a major water pipe break in Weston.
Tap water used for drinking, food preparation or dishwashing must be boiled before it is used for these purposes until further notice.
More information on the water break, including a fact sheet on Boil Water Orders, can be found on the MWRA’s website at www.mwra.com, or at www.mass.gov.
Updates on the status of the MWRA’s water pipe break and the Boil Water Order can also be found on these websites.
Residents of Lynnfield who reside in the LYNNFIELD CENTER WATER DISTRICT are unaffected by this order.
Lynnfield Water District serves customers in the southern portion of Town. Lynnfield Center Water District serves customers in the area of Lynnfield Center. Your water bills and tax bills will have the name of the water district that serves you.
If you are unsure about which water district you are served by, call the Lynnfield Water District at (781) 598-4223 or the Lynnfield Center Water District at (781) 334-3901.
CONSUMER FACT SHEET REGARDING THE MWRA WATER BREAK
BOIL WATER ADVISORY
What should I know about the home use of tap water?
For household use, tap water that has been boiled for a full minute or more may be used for food preparation, hand washing, brushing teeth, and drinking water. Commercially bottled water may also be used. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) has additional information regarding water use on their website at http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/boilordr.htm
A separate fact sheet for retail food establishments has also been prepared. Due to high volume concerns for restaurants and similar facilities, a 5 minute boiling time is recommended.
I prepared food (e.g., soup, casseroles, salads, prepared juice mixes, etc.) using tap water this afternoon—are these products safe to eat?
No. Any food that was washed or prepared using tap water from affected communities in the MWRA distribution system from 12:00 p.m. on May 1, 2010 should be discarded due to the risk of contamination.
Can I use tap water for making coffee in an automatic coffee maker?
No. Coffee made with tap water automatic drip coffee makers should not be used as the temperature of the water is not high enough to remove contaminants. Bottled water or water that has been boiled for one minute should be used.
Is it safe to use tap water for making ice?
No. Ice may be made with tap water that has been boiled for 1 minute or more, with commercially bottled water, or you may purchase ice commercially from a provider outside of the communities affected by the boil water order. If you used tap water to make ice after 12:00 pm on May 1, 2010 it should be discarded.
I purchased vegetables and fruit from a grocery store this afternoon that used a mister to keep the food fresh—is the product still safe?
You should contact the store where you purchased the products and ask if a mister was in use after 12:00 p.m. on May 1, 2010. If a mister was used after that time the food should be discarded as the water in the mister may have been contaminated. Grocery stores have been advised to turn misters off until the water supply is safe for consumption.
Can I wash fruits and vegetables using tap water?
No, washing produce with water from communities affected by the boil water advisory may contaminate the product. Produce may be washed with water boiled for 1 minute, or washed with bottled water.
How can I safely wash dishware and utensils?
According to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website:
You may use a dishwasher if it has a sanitizing cycle. It if does not have a sanitizing cycle, or you are not sure if it does, you may hand wash dishes and utensils by following these steps:
- Wash the dishes as you normally would.
- As a final step, immerse the dishes for at least one minute in lukewarm water to which 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water has been added.
Allow the dishes to completely air dry.
How can I safely prepare powdered/concentrate infant formula?
Infant formulas should be prepared using boiled tap water. If boiled water is not available, bottled water should be used.
Can I use tap water for washing my hands?
You should wash your hands with soap and boiled or bottled water. If only tap water is available, it is best to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after hand washing. ~If neither is possible and your hands have been exposed to germs, such as after using the bathroom, washing with warm tap water and soap and thoroughly drying your hands is much better than not washing them at all. In these instances, try to keep your hands away from your mouth and use a hand sanitizer as soon as possible. ~
When preparing or eating foods,~it is particularly important to wash with boiled or bottled water or use hand sanitizer after washing with tap water. Washing with tap water only should be avoided. ~~
The following people should pay special attention to proper hand washing during a “boil water order”:
·~~~~~~~~ Food preparers and handlers
·~~~~~~~~ Health care workers
·~~~~~People who care for infants, young children or the elderly
·~~~~~People who care for those with conditions that lower their immunity to infections
What should I do when the boil water advisory or order has been lifted?
The MassDEP and the public water supplier will provide specific instructions. Consumers should flush water pipes within the home. When flushing it is important to carefully follow the instructions provided. Water heaters may need to be disinfected and flushed to remove any contaminated water. Some types of water treatment devices may need to be disinfected and flushed to remove any contaminated water. Some types of water treatment devices may need to be disinfected or replaced before being used. Check with the manufacturer for details.
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