do not use water advisory Archives

Rapidan Service Authority, Virginia Department of Health Change Do Not Use Water Advisory to Do Not Drink for Wilderness Water Treatment Plant Customers

August 24, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
Or Tim Clemons, RSA, tclemons@rapidan.org

Rapidan Service Authority, Virginia Department of Health Change Do Not Use Water Advisory to Do Not Drink for Wilderness Water Treatment Plant Customers
Water Still Not Cleared to Drink

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – Effective immediately, Rapidan Service Authority (RSA), in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW), is changing the Do Not Use Water Advisory to a Do Not Drink Water Advisory.

This change is based on lab sampling results, a review by subject matter experts and toxicologists, a lessening of the odor of concern at the water treatment plant, and no odor of concern at the Rapidan River intake.

Residents can now safely use the water supply for bathing, toilet flushing, laundry, and other uses not associated with consumption or ingestion. Do not use the water for activities associated with consumption, including drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), dishwashing, cleaning food contact surfaces, making ice or coffee, and brushing teeth. Parents are encouraged to closely monitor children who take a bath to avoid ingestion at this time.

Only bottled water should be used for drinking, beverage and food preparation until further notice. Those affected should not try to treat the water themselves. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe to consume.

All VDH permitted food facilities are asked to remain closed until the advisory is lifted.

RSA advises customers who still detect an odor should flush their taps. Contact RSA at (540) 972-2133 or visit the RSA website for flushing instructions.

The Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued Wednesday, August 21 by RSA, the owner of the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant (WTP), in coordination with the VDH, out of an abundance of caution following multiple reports an odor in the drinking water.

RSA, VDH, and other responding state partners have been conducting sampling of the water system since a concerning odor in the water supply became evident on Wednesday, August 21. Several rounds of comprehensive lab sampling results, which were received on August 22 and 23, show that the Wilderness WTP water system complies with federal and state drinking water standards, despite the lingering odor of concern. The objectionable odor, initially detected by several residents and at the water treatment plant staff, has lessened over time at the water treatment plant.

Comprehensive water sampling during the past three days shows that the Wilderness water system complies with federal and state drinking water standards. VDH ODW reviewed results with appropriate experts and toxicologists. The Do Not Drink Advisory is recommended out of an abundance of caution until the odor of concern is lessened to a greater level. The comprehensive lab sampling performed to date do not indicate a public health risk. The odor of concern is dissipating. RSA and VDH ODW are meeting daily with the goal to lift the Do Not Drink Advisory as soon as the odor is eliminated or reduced to the extent possible, with continued lab sampling showing no impacts to public health.

VDH ODW is performing additional evaluations and inspections. RSA is actively taking actions to lessen and eliminate the odor of concern while sampling continues. While the source of the objectionable odor has not been discovered, state agencies and local partners continue to investigate why it happened and what caused it.

For additional information, please visit the WTP Do Not Use incident page.

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Virginia Department of Health Provides Orange County Residents with Boil Water Instructions for Bulk Water

August 24, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Provides Orange County Residents with Boil Water Instructions for Bulk Water
Do Not Use Water Advisory Remains in Place

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health reminds residents under the Do Not Use Water Advisory and receiving bulk water from the Orange County water distribution that bulk water should be boiled before being used for cooking or drinking.

To safely boil your water, bring water to a rolling boil for at least a minute and then let it cool before using.

Boil water instructions should be used for bulk water only. Residents under the Do Not Use Water Advisory should not try to treat the tap water themselves. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe.

The Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued August 21 by Rapidan Service Authority (RSA), the owner of the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant (WTP), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, out of an abundance of caution following multiple reports an unknown odor in the drinking water.

No new sampling results have been received this morning. Additional analysis of the laboratory results received on August 23 did not reveal any contaminants in levels that could cause health effects with short-term exposure.

To date, there has not been a specific association of any illness to the odor of concern. However, anyone experiencing gastroenteritis symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, with or without fever, or a rash should seek medical attention. Blood or urine samples might be necessary for testing. The local health department may also collect a water sample from your home and receive information about the illness for additional investigation.

Since a contaminant has not been identified that is causing the odor of concern, the Do Not Use Water Advisory remains in effect until the odor of concern is further reduced or eliminated. Additionally, the swimming advisory remains in effect.

RSA, VDH, and other responding state partners will continue to monitor the situation and provide an additional update on August 25.

For additional information, please visit the WTP Do Not Use incident page.

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Virginia Department of Health Provides Update on Wilderness Water Treatment Plant

August 23, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Virginia Department of Health Provides Update on Wilderness Water Treatment Plant
Do Not Use Water Advisory Remains in Place

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. –This evening, the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW) is providing an update on additional sampling results that it and Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) received from a VELAP-certified private lab. The Do Not Use Water Advisory remains in place until further notice.

The Do Not Use Water Advisory was issued August 21 by RSA, the owner of the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant (WTP), in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, out of an abundance of caution following multiple reports an unknown odor in the drinking water.

The data received on August 23 evening did not identify the source of the odor and did not reveal any contaminants that raise significant concern. However, the odor of concern remains at the water treatment plant and within the distribution system. The odor of concern appears to be dissipating. RSA is taking action to reduce and eliminate the odor of concern.

A source for the odor of concern has not been found despite significant field inspections and sampling. Additional sampling will continue daily. If sampling results continue to show that the drinking water complies with federal standards, and the odor of concern is sufficiently reduced or eliminated, then RSA and VDH will re-evaluate the need for an advisory change.

RSA, VDH, and other responding state partners will continue to monitor the situation and provide an additional update on August 24.

Orange County is providing bulk/bottled water and showering facilities for its residents. RSA is posting updates on the RSA website.

For additional information, please visit the WTP Do Not Use incident page.

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Rapidan Service Authority, Virginia Department of Health Issue Do Not Use Water Advisory

August 22, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, VDH, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov
or Tim Clemons, RSA, tclemons@rapidan.org

Rapidan Service Authority, Virginia Department of Health Issue Do Not Use Water Advisory
Residents in the affected area should avoid all contact with the tap water

ORANGE COUNTY, Va. – On August 21, out of an abundance of caution and in coordination with the Virginia Department of Health, Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) issued a Do Not Use Water Advisory.

The advisory was issued because RSA, the owner of the Wilderness water treatment plant (WTP), received complaints of an unknown odor. The waterworks serves the Lake of the Woods subdivision, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes, Germanna Community College Locust Grove campus, two shopping centers with several restaurants on Route 3.

RSA, in conjunction with VDH, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), is investigating the unknown odor.

Identification of these contaminants is not known at this time. RSA has collected these samples and sent them to a VELAP-certified private lab in Richmond for further analysis. Additional samples were collected on the evening of August 21. Test results can take up to 48 hours for results. RSA will be conducting another round of samples Friday.

The Do Not Use Order will remain in effect until the water is safe to use/drink again.

Residents in the affected area should avoid all contact with the tap water until further notice; toilets can be flushed. Only bottled water and bulk water should be used for all drinking, beverage and food preparation (including baby formula and juice), making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or clothes, washing hands, and bathing. Those affected should not try to treat the water themselves. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting the water stand will not make the water safe.

RSA is coordinating efforts to make bottled water available. An alert will be sent out and the RSA website updated to show when and where it will be available for pick up. Please register for alerts on RSA’s website (www.rapidan.org/subscribe).

For more information, please contact Rapidan Service Authority at (540) 972-2133. Updates will be posted on the RSA website

For additional questions, contact VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2), The VDH Call Center is available Monday to Friday (except holidays) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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