Boil-water notice issued after body found in Highland Park Reservoir in Rochester
People who live in Rochester neighborhoods served by the Highland Park Reservoir are being told by the city and the Monroe County Department of Public Health to boil tap water before they use it after a body was discovered in the reservoir Tuesday morning.
The instructions are to bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for one minute and then cool it before using — or to use bottled water.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and preparing food until further notice.
The notice applies to these neighborhoods:
? Genesee River to Flint Street
? Flint Street to Genesee Street
? Genesee Street to Arnett Boulevard
? Arnett Boulevard to Westfield Street
? Westfield Street to Chili Avenue
? Chili Avenue to Lee Road
? Lee Road to Lexington Avenue
? Lexington Avenue to Genesee River
? Genesee River to Inner Loop
? Inner Loop to University Avenue
? University Avenue to North/South Goodman Street
? South Goodman Street to Linden Street
? Linden Street to Mount Hope Avenue
? Mount Hope Avenue to McLean Street
? McLean Street to Genesee River
Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, the city’s Bureau of Water discovered a dead body in the reservoir, and it was shut down.
In a statement, the city said the boil-water notice was issued out of "an abundance of caution."
It wrote: “The reservoir is inspected daily, and water quality is monitored continuously. All immediate water quality test results indicate that the water is safe. 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. But these symptoms are not just caused by microbes in drinking water.”
More: Highland Park reservoir broke EPA rules. It was never covered for drinking water safety. Why?
People experiencing those symptoms are advised to see a doctor.
Over the next 16 hours, water samples will be collected from the water distribution system in the affected area to confirm that water quality has not been compromised, the statement said.
The reservoir has been isolated from that system and will not be put back in service until it has been drained and cleaned, according to the statement.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Boil-water notice issued in Rochester NY after body found in reservoir
