The Westerly Water Department has issued a drinking water warning to its customers because a treatment equipment failure sent excess treatment chemicals into the water supply on Thursday, February 8th and Friday, February 9th. Westerly Water Department customers who have not used their faucets since Friday should not drink or use the water before flushing. These customers should perform a one-time flush of household faucets for three to five minutes to discharge water with potentially high concentrations of chemicals from interior plumbing. Faucets that have been in regular use since Friday have already been flushed of these chemicals.
These chemicals resulted in an increased level of pH in the water. Exposure to very high pH values can result in irritation to the eyes, skin, lips, mouth, nasal passages, and other mucous membranes. In sensitive individuals, gastrointestinal irritation may also occur. If a Westerly Water Department customer experiences these symptoms, and if these symptoms persist, the attention of a healthcare provider should be sought. . The Westerly Water Department sells water to customers throughout the Town of Westerly and to customers in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. People with questions should call the Westerly Water Department at 401-348-2561.
Only customers billed by the Westerly Water Department are affected by this warning. Areas in Pawcatuck, Connecticut not affected by this drinking water warning are customers:
- South of Rt. 1 in Connecticut beyond Greenhaven Road - North of Rt. 2 in Connecticut beyond 300 feet past Route 617 - North of Rt. 49 in Connecticut beyond Stop and Shop Shopping Plaza - West of Peqqot Trail in Connecticut (Rt. 234) beyond Billings Street - South of River Road in Connecticut beyond 200 feet beyond Crestview Avenue - Elm Ridge Road in Connecticut beyond Fairview Avenue