NORWICH – On Wednesday, the City of Norwich advised residents to boil water before drinking it due to inadequate levels of chlorine being reported during recent testing.

According to city officials, chlorine is used to destroy harmful microbes.

The city reported repairs may take two to three days to complete.

The water issue occurred just after the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a heat advisory on Sunday for the week and large portion of central New York.

The NWS warns that heat index values of 95 to 100°F are expected, and these “high temperatures and high humidity may cause serious heat illness.”

The advisory begins at noon on Tuesday, June 18, and lasts until 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 20. The extreme heat coincides with the summer solstice on Thursday.

Anyone seeking information can contact the city at (607) 337-1250 or the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1673.

In addition to residents, the outage has caused a number of businesses and employers in the city and town to either close or limit services.

There will be a bottled water distribution at the Norwich City Firehouse at 31 East Main Street from approximately 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday for those in our community with the greatest needs and for those that are not able to boil water at home.

If you are able to prepare your own drinking water at home by boiling tap water for one full minute, we encourage you to do so.

There will be a limited supply of bottled water distributed. Limit one per household.

It is very important to stay hydrated during extreme temperatures.

The City of Norwich boil water notice remains in effect until further notice.

- Tyler Murphy, Evening Sun Managing Editor