Following a flood-induced crisis in Hillsborough, officials have lifted a boil water notice. The notice, initially issued on Monday after Tropical Depression Chantal caused the Eno River to flood the town's clear wells, posed a serious contamination risk to the water supply. Subsequent testing of over 30 representative samples in the distribution system has demonstrated an absence of bacteria, allowing residents to tap into their water without boiling it first, as reported yesterday by CBS 17.
However, with the water treatment plant still under maintenance and not expected to reopen for several days, there's a significant strain on what's flowing from the faucets leading town officials to advise against unnecessary water usage, including activities such as washing clothes and cars, irrigating with water, and conducting pressure washes WRAL has emphasized the fragility of Hillsborough's water system, currently reliant on a connection with Durham for its water supply. An uptick in consumption could collapse system pressure and disrupt service, a situation no one wants.
In a message to the community, town leaders warned that without conservation efforts, the temporary setup could fail to provide for essential services like hospitals and medical facilities, according to a release cited by Chapelboro. Currently, Hillsborough is purchasing water from Durham, which stands as their exclusive source. Hence, judicious use of water is critical, as an unanticipated surge in demand will affect both availability and pressure.
Adding to the wastewater woes, Hillsborough officials also pointed out that approximately 75% of sewer customers' waste would be discharged directly into the Eno River untreated because of a flooded pump station, therefore conserving water doesn't just preserve drinking water, but also limits environmental impact of untreated wastewater, in a statement obtained by Chapelboro.
