****UPDATE: OWASA ADVISING CUSTOMERS TO NOT USE WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.***

Some Orange County residents are receiving drinking water from the City of Durham due to an issue in the local water treatment process.

Orange Water and Sewer Authority announced late Thursday that an “accidental overfeed of fluoride within the water treatment process” led to the drinking water being brought in from Durham late Thursday afternoon.

OWASA said the water is safe for customers to drink because the overfeed was contained within the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant. That stopped water with higher-than-normal fluoride levels from entering the water pipe system supplying OWASA customers.

Officials expect to continue receiving water from the City of Durham for “a few days” while the facilities impacted by the overfeed at the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant are cleaned.

OWASA is also asking customers to limit water usage wherever possible. Some tips from OWASA include:

  • Flush toilets only when necessary.
  • Take short showers (less than 5 minutes); shower instead of taking a bath, which uses more water.
  • Turn off water when not in use for brushing teeth, etc.
  • Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
  • Use paper plates and plastic utensils to reduce dishwashing.
  • Check for and fix any leaks in toilets, faucets, hoses, pipes, etc.
  • Defer washing vehicles with drinking water. (Some car washes use well water.)

Customers should not experience any change in water pressure, according to OWASA, but may notice some slight discoloration. Officials say the discoloration does not make the water unsafe but advise it should not be used for laundry, cooking or drinking. Customers are also asked to report any discoloration to OWASA at the 24-hour line at (919) 968-4421.

Officials say no violation occurred because the water was contained within the treatment plant but the incident was reported to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Officials say OWASA and other utilities add fluoride to drinking water to prevent tooth decay.

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