A system pressure advisory is a public statement issued when the water system pressure has dropped below the state minimum of 20 pounds per square inch and contaminants could be present in the water but have not been confirmed through testing.

Through these advisories, customers are advised to boil tap water or use bottled water for consumption until further notice. Results from bacterial testing of the water are returned in 18 to 24 hours.

Reasons for Issuing

System pressure advisories are issued when an event has occurred that could have allowed contaminants to enter the water distribution system. Such events would include a water main break, small or widespread loss of system pressure, or a natural disaster.

Exemptions

No advisory is issued for planned outages or when a water main can remain under pressure during repairs.

An advisory may not be issued if an initial water sampling result has a  contamination with a known cause that is being addressed promptly.

During the Advisory

As a precaution, consumers are advised to boil all water or use bottled water for any human or pet consumption. This includes for drinking, ice making, brushing of teeth, pet water, handwashing, dishwashing and food preparation. Vigorous boiling for one minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

You should boil your water if you have a filter system on your faucet or refrigerator. Most point-of-use filters are designed to improve the aesthetics of water ― taste and odor ― but not to remove harmful bacteria. 

Infants below the age of 6 months and pregnant women should use an alternate water supply, such as bottled water, whenever possible during an advisory. Boiling water concentrates any levels of nitrates that may be present in the water.

Other Uses

• Dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water. One tablespoon of bleach per gallon also could be added as a precaution. Dishes then should be rinsed with boiled water. 
• Water will be safe for bathing and washing clothes.

After the Advisory

If contamination of the water system did occur, you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains and the like prior to using water for drinking or cooking. Flushing is letting water run to ensure no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines:

• Run all cold-water faucets in your home for one minute.
• For automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Run drinking water fountains for one minute.
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

If Your Water Is Not Clear

Following an advisory, you may experience discolored water, which can appear to be red, brown or milky and which can be caused by harmless sediment or air bubbles. To clear the discoloration, the town advises you to run cold water through your bathtub or other faucet for 5 to 10 minutes. If discoloration persists, contact the town immediately.

For More Information

Call the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.

A boil water notice is issued when total coliform bacteria have been detected in the water system. Coliforms can indicate the presence of potentially harmful bacteria. The presence of total coliform triggers testing for E. coli bacteria.

Notices are placed on streets and in neighborhoods that are affected. Results from repeated bacterial testing of the water are returned in 18 to 24 hours

During the Notice

As a precaution, consumers are advised to boil all water or use bottled water for any human or pet consumption. This includes for drinking, ice making, brushing of teeth, pet water, handwashing, dishwashing and food preparation. Vigorous boiling for one minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

You should boil your water if you have a filter system on your faucet or refrigerator. Most point-of-use filters are designed to improve the aesthetics of water ― taste and odor ― but not to remove harmful bacteria. 

Infants below the age of 6 months and pregnant women should use an alternate water supply, such as bottled water, whenever possible during a notice. Boiling water concentrates any levels of nitrates that may be present in the water.

Other Uses

• Dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water. One tablespoon of bleach per gallon also could be added as a precaution. Dishes then should be rinsed with boiled water. 
• Water will be safe for bathing and washing clothes.

After the Notice

If contamination of the water system did occur, you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains and the like prior to using water for drinking or cooking. Flushing is letting water run to ensure no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines:

• Run all cold-water faucets in your home for one minute.
• For automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Run drinking water fountains for one minute.
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

If Your Water Is Not Clear

Following a notice, you may experience discolored water, which can appear to be red, brown or milky and which can be caused by harmless sediment or air bubbles. To clear the discoloration, the town advises you to run cold water through your bathtub or other faucet for 5 to 10 minutes. If discoloration persists, contact the town immediately.

For More Information

Call the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.

During the Notice

Consumers are advised to boil all water or use bottled water for any human or pet consumption. This includes for drinking, ice making, brushing of teeth, pet water, handwashing, dishwashing and food preparation. Vigorous boiling for one minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

You should boil your water if you have a filter system on your faucet or refrigerator. Most point-of-use filters are designed to improve the aesthetics of water ― taste and odor ― but not to remove harmful bacteria. 

Infants below the age of 6 months and pregnant women should use an alternate water supply, such as bottled water, whenever possible during a notice. Boiling water concentrates any levels of nitrates that may be present in the water.

Other Uses

• Dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water. One tablespoon of bleach per gallon also could be added as a precaution. Dishes then should be rinsed with boiled water. 
• Water will be safe for bathing and washing clothes.

After the Notice

If contamination of the water system did occur, you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains and the like prior to using water for drinking or cooking. Flushing is letting water run to ensure no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines:

• Run all cold-water faucets in your home for one minute.
• For automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Run drinking water fountains for one minute.
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

If Your Water Is Not Clear

Following a notice, you may experience discolored water, which can appear to be red, brown or milky and which can be caused by harmless sediment or air bubbles. To clear the discoloration, the town advises you to run cold water through your bathtub or other faucet for 5 to 10 minutes. If discoloration persists, contact the town immediately.

For More Information

Call the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.

A do not drink notice is issued when a harmful contaminant has been found in the water system. During the time period of a notice, all affected customers must use bottled water for consumption.

Notices are placed on streets and in neighborhoods that are affected.

During the Notice

During the time period of a notice, all affected customers must use bottled water for consumption.

Other Uses

• Dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water. One tablespoon of bleach per gallon also could be added as a precaution. Dishes then should be rinsed with boiled water. 
• Water will be safe for bathing and washing clothes.

After the Notice

You should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains and the like prior to using water for drinking or cooking. Flushing is letting water run to ensure no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines:

• Run all cold-water faucets in your home for one minute.
• For automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Run drinking water fountains for one minute.
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

If Your Water Is Not Clear

Following a notice, you may experience discolored water, which can appear to be red, brown or milky and which can be caused by harmless sediment or air bubbles. To clear the discoloration, the town advises you to run cold water through your bathtub or other faucet for 5 to 10 minutes. If discoloration persists, contact the town immediately.

For More Information

Call the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.

A do not use notice is issued when an unknown contaminant has been found in the water system.

Notices are placed on streets and in neighborhoods that are affected. Testing will occur to determine next steps.

During the Notice

During the time period of a notice, all affected customers must use bottled water only for any purposes.

After the Notice

You should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains and the like prior to using water for drinking or cooking. Flushing is letting water run to ensure no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines:

• Run all cold-water faucets in your home for one minute.
• For automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Run drinking water fountains for one minute.
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

If Your Water Is Not Clear

Following a notice, you may experience discolored water, which can appear to be red, brown or milky and which can be caused by harmless sediment or air bubbles. To clear the discoloration, the town advises you to run cold water through your bathtub or other faucet for 5 to 10 minutes. If discoloration persists, contact the town immediately.

For More Information

Call the Hillsborough Water Treatment Plant at 919-732-3621.