The following information comes from the Union County government offices.
Union County Public Works customers are under a Boil Water Advisory due to a routine water sample showing the presence of E. coli in one area. We are working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality on quality control measures.
Public Works staff routinely collects water samples for routine testing. On average, more than 120 samples are collected and tested every month. Following a routine water sample collected near the intersection of U.S. 74 and Gray Fox Road in Indian Trail on Monday, March 10, 2020, Public Works received notification late Tuesday, March 11, 2020 that the presence of E. coli was found in the water sample. Public Works immediately collected a second sample at the same location, as well as 11 additional samples in the area, including upstream and downstream of the location. Results from the second sample collected at the initial location did not include the presence of E. Coli that had previously shown the presence of the bacteria. However, results from two of the 12 water samples collected in the repeat testing showed the presence of total coliform, but not E. coli. Coliform is a group of bacteria that could indicate the presence of pathogens.
Union County is currently processing additional samples in the general area; as well as routine testing at other points throughout the county-wide water distribution system. Public Works anticipates receiving results Friday afternoon, March 13, 2020. Customers should expect to remain under the Boil Water Advisory at least through Friday evening. Customers will be directly notified of updates through the email and phone number associated with their account.
Residents who receive water from the City of Monroe and the Town of Marshville are not included in the Boil Water Advisory. The City of Monroe operates its own utility and water distribution system. The Town of Marshville also operates its own water distribution system.
A Boil Water Advisory is a public notification informing water customers to boil their tap water before using it. Advisories are issued in response to an event that could allow contaminants to enter the water distribution system.
A list of frequently asked questions is available for customers on our website. Customers who have additional questions may call our Operations hotline: 704-292-2550.