Update, Tuesday, Oct. 30 4:50 p.m.
Alex Cinotti of the East Shore District Health Department confirmed this afternoon that Branford’s drinking water is safe following Sandy.
“The public drinking water so far is fine,” Cinotti said following a briefing with state health department officials.
This morning the Associate Press reported that several towns, including Branford may have experienced raw sewage discharge from their treatment plants and pumping stations.
The AP reported: “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says flooding and power outages caused sewage discharges in Branford, Bridgeport, East Lyme, Fairfield, Greenwich, Ledyard, New Hartford and New Haven. The agency says 27 of the 89 treatment plants in the state and 264 pumping stations are running on emergency power.”
Cinotti was not able to confirm if the power outage caused sewage to spill at Branford’s treatment plant, which is located on Block Island Road. The possible contamination, he said, could be to the beach waters but not the drinking water supply.
Food Safety
Cinotti said officials have been traveling all over Branford and East Haven since this morning, assessing restaurants for safety. Those who have been closed longer than 24 hours should consider their operations closed by the health department. Before re-opening, restaurants who have been closed for more than 24 hours must call the health department at 203-481-4233 for inspection. Cinotti said that between the two towns, he anticipates having most restaurants certified for re-opening by tomorrow evening.
East Shore also serves North Branford, where Cinotti said fewer businesses were affected.
Original Story, Tuesday, Oct. 30 2:50 p.m.
We’re speaking with officials to get you the most up-to-date info on Branford’s water supply.
This morning the Associate Press reported that several towns, including Branford may have experienced raw sewage discharge from their treatment plants and pumping stations due to power loss during Sandy. As of 2 p.m., 79 percent of Branford is still without power according to CL&P.
The AP reported: “Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says flooding and power outages caused sewage discharges in Branford, Bridgeport, East Lyme, Fairfield, Greenwich, Ledyard, New Hartford and New Haven. The agency says 27 of the 89 treatment plants in the state and 264 pumping stations are running on emergency power.”
Alex Cinotti of the East Shore District Health Department said that residents should be suspect of this information: “I have not heard any information that the public drinking water has been compromised,” he said.
ESDHD will be on a conference call with state officials at 2 p.m. for updates on this matter.
Patch will provide what we know as soon as information is available.
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