Utility cancels boil-water order for Gig Harbor area residents

Residents of some 1,900 homes in the Gig Harbor area can safely use their tap water again after their water provider canceled a boil-water order Saturday.

The residents were advised to boil tap water Friday after E. coli was found in a water sample, the city announced.

The majority of the water system is located in unincorporated Pierce County, but several neighborhoods along Peacock Hill within city limits were also affected, the city said.

Washington Water Service posted a notice Thursday evening warning that bacteria had been found in a sample collected from a Peacock Hill water-system storage tank on Wednesday. The 1,900 lots and houses that use the system were urged to drink and cook with bottled or boiled tap water.

On Friday, the water service planned to introduce chlorine to the system’s other storage tanks as a precautionary measure.

Short-term symptoms of E. coli infection include nausea, diarrhea, headaches and cramps. Those who are immunocompromised as well as young children, infants and elderly people can be at higher risk.

Those who bought bottled water as a result of the advisory can ask for a reimbursement by mailing a receipt, with their address and account number, to P.O. Box 336, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Residents with concerns or questions can call 877-408-4060 or email customerservice@wawater.com .