Belforest boil water notice still in effect

DAPHNE, Ala. (WALA) - Residents in the Belforest community haven't been able to drink their water for a day.

A boil water notice is still in effect after a sewer pipe was accidentally connected to the water system.

This affects customers of the Belforest Water System.

A spokesman with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management said the water is being tested in the area and a decision on the notice is expected to be made Friday morning.

But FOX10 News learned this isn't the first time this has happened in the area.

On Thursday, Nov. 29 in Daphne, the Newman household spent the day decorating for Christmas.

Family patriarch Ronnie Newman said, "(We’re) trying to get the stuff out, put 'em up; and we're taking advantage of the time off that we can deal with."

Newman is enjoying time with his kids, but he didn't originally plan on this.

"I was supposed to be at work today,” he said.

The culprit is in his faucet.

His neighborhood is under a boil water notice, and two schools are closed: Daphne East Elementary and Daphne Middle School. Four of Newman's kids go to the schools.

Newman said, "I think it's a screw-up. It sounds pretty major for sure."

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management said the Baldwin County Sewer System did this another time, around five years ago. An ADEM spokesman said the private company was fined $100,000 for the incident.

On Thursday, water officials scrambled to fix the problem.

This notice doesn't necessarily mean the water is contaminated. Officials said, however, it should be boiled as a precaution.

Officials said it’s okay to wash your hands and bathe, but it may not be safe to drink the water.

Newman said this has been inconvenient, and it's not over. Officials said both schools will be closed on Friday too, so his wife will have to take off work to watch the kids.

"With all the kids we have, it's bad around here,” said Newman.

The spokesman said this most recent incident is now under investigation.