COLUMBIA, PA - Columbia Water customers should not drink water March 14, 2013 03:15 PM EDT
Customers of Columbia Water Company have been asked to not drink water due to potential contamination, according to company officials.
Officials said a break-in at a storage tank/pumping station happened early Thursday and they are not sure if the water was tampered with.
Customers in the Marietta Division of Columbia Water company are not affected.
Columbia police said they were called to a storage tank north of the borough about noon Thursday.
Below is the full statement from company officials.
Columbia Water Company is issuing a "DO NOT CONSUME" order for customers of Columbia Water Company due to potential contamination of the drinking water supply. It was discovered today that a break-in occurred over night at one of the storage tank/pumping station locations. At this time, it is unknown if the water in the storage tank was tampered with.
This notice applies to the following customers: All customers of Columbia Water Company except those in the Marietta Division.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Customers are asked to not use the water for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene or providing to pets until further notice.
Throw away ice cubes if made with tap water after 3:30 p.m. on March 13. The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing. If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
Alternative water supplies are being provided by Columbia Water Company. Columbia Water will be providing a water tanker to residents as needed. The water tankers will be stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. You will need to bring your own containers to transport your water.
Corrective actions are being taken by Columbia Water Company. We have isolated the storage tank that was possibly tampered with. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is conducting sampling of the tank and the distribution system to identify any potential contamination. We will be draining the tank after sampling has been conducted.
Columbia Water Company anticipates resolving the problem within 3-5 days. Notice will be issued when the problem is resolved and this advisory has been lifted.
For more information visit our website at ColumbiaWaterCo.com or call the Columbia Water Company at 717-684-2188.
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