Mount Holly residents were urged yesterday to boil their tap water after a ruptured water main triggered a precautionary advisory for parts of the city. Crews moved in to repair the break, and officials warned that some customers could see low water pressure or temporary outages while the work continues. The pressure drop, they said, increases the risk that bacteria could slip into the distribution system.
City advisory and map
The city's utilities division posted a notice on its website explaining that system pressure had fallen due to the ruptured main and asking customers to conserve water, according to the City of Mount Holly. The advisory, dated June 10 and signed by Deputy Utilities Director Robert Stewart, includes a map that circles the affected area and warns residents to expect periods of low pressure and possible outages. "This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued," the notice states.
What residents should do
Public health guidance for boil water advisories is straightforward. Residents should bring tap water to a full rolling boil for one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bottled water is considered a safe alternative while the advisory is in effect, and people are advised to avoid swallowing tap water in the shower if pressure is low.
Local coverage also notes that the city's advisory tells residents to boil water for one minute once service is restored, while crews continue repairs, as reported by WSOC.
Where the outage hit and testing
The city shared a map on its news page showing the circled area affected by the rupture and noted that repair crews were on site, according to City of Mount Holly. Public health guidance typically keeps boil advisories in place while bacteriological testing and system flushing are carried out. Those checks can take a day or more, depending on how samples are collected and processed, per AppHealthCare. In the meantime, residents are urged to conserve water and follow any additional directions the utilities department issues during repairs.
What to expect next
Officials say they plan to fully restore pressure and complete testing before they lift the advisory, and they will post a written notice once they determine the system is safe. Until then, residents are advised to boil tap water or use bottled water for consumption and keep an eye on the city's website and social media channels for updates.
