New Kent issues boil water advisory for portions of Five Lakes region

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- New Kent County has issued a boil water advisory on Wednesday for certain residents within the Five Lakes subdivision.

As of 5:26 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, a boil water advisory is in effect for residents residing on the following streets:

• Cary Rd
• Eagle Point Dr
• Fairway Ridge Dr
• Greenway Circle
• Hilton Dr
• Horseshoe Ct
• Horseshoe Dr
• Longview Dr
• Pinehurst Dr
• Pointe Dr
• N Hairpin Dr
• S Hairpin Dr
• N Woodland Cir
• S Woodland Cir
• Teakwood Dr

Officials said the boil water advisory does not affect:

• Quinton Elementary School
• Businesses and restaurants on Pocahontas Trail/Route60
• Businesses and restaurants on New Kent Highway/Route 249
• Aqua Virginia water customers

The advisory was released after a water main break occurred at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the county, some customers may experience a total loss of water service while others may experience loss in water pressure.

As water usage continues, the list of impacted residents may change and expand. Residents of the area are asked to conserve water and stay updated by checking newkent-va.us or the county's social media pages.

Authorities said that county officials are in contact with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to "assess and remedy the situation."

The process of flushing the system and lifting the advisory will begin once water pressure is back to normal in the impacted areas, officials said.

Residents are encouraged to follow the checklist below for safe water use during this time:

• Do not drink tap water during this boil water alert.
• Do not use ice made from water today. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine
  and/or ice trays.
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.
• Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates.
• Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water.
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water -- use boiled or bottled water.
• Do not cook with tap water, unless your food will be boiled vigorously for three minutes.

Temporary water conservation tips include:

• Eliminate or shorten shower times.
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes.
• Avoid washing clothes for as long as possible.
• Postpone washing dishes if possible.
• Check all faucets, shower heads and under cabinets for drips.

Click here for further information on boil water advisories and to read the New Kent advisory in full.