Yesterday Bogue Banks Water Corporation detected Total Coliform bacteria in the Emerald Isle water supply. The bacteria is generally not a health concern, but their presence can indicate other more harmful pathogens may be in the water. The Town Manager, Frank Rush issued the boil order until further written notice.
Boiling Emerald Isle water for a minute rigorously should kill any harmful bacteria. But boiling the water in this manner does increase the concentration of any nitrates in the water. Because of this fact pregnant women and infants under the age of six months should consume water from an alternate source such as bottled water to be safe.
The Town of Emerald isle will keep us up to date on this matter and for more information call 252-354-3307
***UPDATE***
Town officials have lifted the boil advisory as of today December 12, 2008.
According to Cathy Craft, system administrator for Bogue Banks Water, the water supply had nothing wrong with it to begin with. The routine samples tested positive for the bacteria due to a sampling error.
***END UPDATE***