ALERT: Lewes water service restored, boil water order remains

The Lewes Board of Public Works has now restored water service to all ratepayers, but a boil water order remains in effect for everyone who gets their water from BPW.

BPW Board President Tom Panetta told the Cape Gazette a 12-inch water main that runs under the canal was either damaged or failed about 3 a.m., Aug. 20.

He said, while all service has been restored, some residents living on the beach side might still experience episodes of low water pressure.

Panetta said dive teams will inspect the pipes and make any needed repairs Wednesday morning.

He said water samples have seen sent to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services testing lab, but it will take 18 hours to get the results, so the boil water order was issued as a precaution.

Information on the BPW website says its customers should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice.

Panetta said it is important that people not use hot water at all, because that could draw sediment into their home’s water heaters.

Panetta noted that Beebe Healthcare has its own system and is not impacted by the boil water order. He also said BPW is in communication with the Cape Henlopen School District, which has BPW service.

For more information on the boil water order, go to lewesbpwde.gov.