Citizens who use the public water supply in the Village of Rushville are being asked to use alternate water sources for drinking, cooking, making ice, making infant formula and preparing food.
This comes after levels of blue-green algae above the health advisory level were detected in drinking water.
The alert also pertains to citizens in the Middlesex Water District.
The following statement was released from state health officials on Thursday:
“Testing completed today returned results of 0.66 micrograms per liter of microcystin in finished water. This level is higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 10-day Health Advisory level of 0.3 micrograms per liter of microcystins for bottle fed infants and children under 6 years old. For individuals not included in that group, the EPA’s health advisory level is 1.6 microgams per liter. However, out of an abundance of caution, the state is recommending to all consumers that they not consume water at this time.”
The State Department of Health says the water is still safe for other household uses, including washing hands, bathing and cleaning.
The Department of Health, Village of Rushville Public Water Supply, Ontario County and Yates County are working to provide citizens with bottled water. Bottles will be distributed at the Rushville Hose Company Thursday night.
