NEWPORT, Tenn. — Newport Utilities said people in the Del Rio area should boil water for at least three minutes before using it after several water line breaks throughout the area.
They said that customers along South Highway 340 and people in Del Rio were also experiencing a severe water shortage Wednesday afternoon. They said any water that was recently stored in the area should also be discarded.
Del Rio is a small area outside of Newport in Cocke County.
According to Newport Utilities, the breaks along the water line led to a loss of pressure in their distribution system which could cause backpressure, "back siphonage," or water moving into the pipes from outside through cracks, breaks or joints.
People should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or preparing food, they said. The Cocke County Emergency Management Agency said they reached out to the utility company to specifically ask if bathing was safe.
“Bathing is fine but the CDC recommends avoiding swallowing any water and recommends sponge baths are best," they said.
The CCEMA also said they were sending targeted messages to people in the area through Hyper-Reach, notifying them about the advisory.
Newport Utilities released a map highlighting the area most affected. It mostly runs between the intersections of Dixie Highway and Baltimore Road, to the intersection of Dixie Highway and TN 107 North. It also affects a portion of the area south of the river.
