The advisory remains in effect in southwest Yonkers for residents and businesses south of Ashburton Avenue to the New York City line, between the Hudson River and Saw Mill River Parkway, the Westchester County Department of Health said. 

County officials estimate between 50,000 and 70,000 people are within the affected area. 

The advisory was first issued on Monday, Aug. 24, after a state contractor working on the Saw Mill River Parkway accidentally broke through a 30-inch City of Yonkers water main near the McLean Avenue exit, according to the Health Department. 

The resulting drop in water pressure created the potential for groundwater to enter the water mains, prompting officials to issue the advisory as a precaution against possible contamination. 

Once Yonkers completes repairs, water will be flushed through fire hydrants before samples are collected from 21 locations throughout the affected area. Sampling could begin as early as Wednesday, officials said. 

Those samples will then be tested for coliform bacteria at the Westchester County Laboratory in Valhalla and the Yonkers Bureau of Water’s laboratory. Testing takes 24 hours, and the advisory will only be lifted once results are satisfactory, according to the county.

Until then, residents in the affected area are strongly advised to bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking it, preparing food, washing dishes by hand, or brushing their teeth. 

The advisory does not apply to bathing, washing clothes, or using a dishwasher. 

Restaurants, delis, bodegas, and other food service establishments in the affected area must also continue boiling water before serving it or using it to prepare food. 

Meanwhile, Yonkers officials announced Wednesday that a boil water advisory was also issued for several specific addresses because of a water main break and repair. Those locations include 48 through 63 and 69 through 84 Moquette Row North, as well as 430, 450, 460, 470, 490, 500, 510, 530, 540 and 578 Nepperhan Ave., between Lake and Ashburton avenues.

The city said it would provide more updates as repair work progresses.


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