Winslow Township residents are frustrated with water restrictions that were imposed by the town on Thursday.
Water samples indicate that the town’s water supply is contaminated with E. Coli bacteria.
Residents were advised to either use bottled water or boil their water for three minutes and let it cool or before drinking it, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food.
The presence of E. Coli means the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. The waste can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms.
The township also announced on Sunday that all Winslow Township schools would be closed to students on Monday.
Many residents have decided to buy bottled water rather than go through the process of boiling.
“You have to think about everything you do now, “ said resident Marguerite Hall. “Obviously it’s a great inconvenience and we don’t know when it’s going to be over.”
A tank full of water was trucked in to a local Wawa to keep operations going.
While residents are coping with the situation, they still want answers.
“My main concern was how did it happen, and how are we going to take precautions for it to not happen again,” said resident Helen Packard.
Township officials say that they’ve been testing the water throughout the weekend but the results have not yet been released. There is still no word yet on when restrictions will be lifted.
For more information, contact Winslow Township at 609 567 0700 or the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800 426 4791.
