Dix Hills boil-water notice still in force

Dix Hills Water District authorities are awaiting results from new test samples before they ask the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to lift the boil-water notice issued Friday.

District officials have to wait about 24 hours for the results of the 21 water samples taken early Saturday.

They expect the results by Sunday, said A.J. Carter, Huntington Town spokesman.

Coliform bacteria turned up in two samples taken Tuesday and Wednesday during routine tests, but subsequent tests have not yielded the bacteria, Carter said.

The county health department subsequently urged residents to boil drinking water, while the district immediately chlorinated the water supply, he said.

"We are doing what has to be done for the safety of the customers," Carter said. "We are optimistic and positive that these tests . . . will come back negative."

Officials advise residents to also boil water used in preparing food, mixing baby formula, washing dishes, making ice or brushing teeth.

About 8,000 district customers, including residents and businesses, began receiving the boil-water notice on Friday, Carter said.

The town also posted the notice on its website, Facebook page and public-access television channel, he said.

"We have no reports that anyone has gotten sick," Carter said. Infection with coliform bacteria can cause diarrhea, cramps and nausea.

In 2007, some bacteria were detected in district water and officials began chlorinating. That program was discontinued in 2009 when tests showed it was no longer necessary.

Dix Hills has won several best-tasting drinking water contests.