Sewer problems cause school closings

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - The Belforest Water System has issued a boil water notice for all customers of the system until further notice.

Belforest said the Baldwin County Sewer System accidentally connected a sewer line from a newly constructed residence to a freshwater line.

“Every home has a water line that goes into and a sewer line that comes out of it. The sewer line coming out of the house should be tied into the sewer main, where all of the sewer collects and goes down into the treatment plant. Baldwin County Sewer tied that sewer line coming out of that house into our freshwater main versus their sewer main,” said Belforest General Manager David Lyles.

The Belforest water system services Daphne East Elementary School and Daphne Middle School.

So because of the problem, both of those schools are now closed Thursday.

“It’s a laborious process to have the water tested and evaluated and cleared by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management so schools will be closed on Thursday. But they could be closed for the rest of the week we just don't know. But we will certainly let parents know when we know,” said Baldwin County Schools Spokesman.

Officials said boil water notices are typically issued when monitoring of water being served consumers contains indicators of contamination or a failure of distribution system integrity evidenced by a loss of system pressure has occurred.

Officials said while the notice does not necessary mean the water has been contaminated, it does mean that pathogens may have entered the piped-water system. This is a precautionary notice.

According to officials, this notice does not mean that your water is unsafe, but it does mean that you must take precaution to boil your water before use.

The Belforest Water System recommends that water be boiled before it is consumed or used in order to kill protozoa, bacteria and viruses.

Belforest Water System is working hard to restore normal service. Customers will be notified when the Boil Water Notice is lifted.