Boil water notice issued after water main valve breaks Tuesday morning under Seneca Avenue

OLEAN — A boil weather notice has been issued by the City of Olean Department of Public Works after a water main valve broke beneath Seneca Street about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The City of Olean water system lost pressure due to a water main valve break, a Public Works spokesman said . “When water mains lose pressure it can increase the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter your water.”

The city urged residents to boil their water before using it. After the water comes to a roiling boil, let it boil for a minute and cool before using. Using bottled water is another alternative.   

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice, the notice from the city stated.  “This Boil Water Notice applies to residents on municipal water from Front Street East to the Town of Olean line, as well as from Seneca Avenue to Grandview Avenue,” the press release stated.

The loss of pressure raises the possibility that harmful microbes may be present in your drinking water. Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or  other symptoms and may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

“If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you should seek medical advice.  What is being done ?  The broken valves have been fixed and water has been restored. Water testing will be completed over the course of the following days to ensure no harmful microbes have entered the water system,” the statement from the city said. “It is likely that you will need to boil water until further notice. You will be informed when tests show that you no longer need to boil your water.”  

For more information, please contact: Mayor Amy B. Sherburne at (716) 376-5615, or Robert Ring at the Cattaraugus County Health Department at (716) 701-3388.