Swansboro main break causes concern

SWANSBORO - A boil water advisory was still in effect Tuesday afternoon for Swansboro residents after an 8-inch water main on Corbett Avenue ruptured early Monday afternoon.

The rupture happened after a contractor hit the main, according to a press release from the Onslow Water and Sewer Authority. The break, according to ONWASA, was repaired quickly and water service was returned.

"That caused a loss of water service and loss of pressure to about 100 residents in Swansboro and Swansboro Middle School," ONWASA Public Affairs Director Susan Poole said. "Because of the loss of pressure, we issued a boil water advisory for people west of (N.C.) 24 from the corner of Belgrade-Swansboro (Road) to Swansboro Middle School."

The high school was not affected, she said.

The advisory, she said, was strictly a precaution since there was no indication of any contamination.

"Because there was a loss of pressure, we issued this just until we can confirm with testing that there's no problem," Poole said, explaining that ONWASA customers in the region should boil water for one minute prior to consuming, cooking, brushing teeth and making ice.

Poole expects the confirmation to be made today.

Rodney Shepherd, whose child visits the middle school for an afternoon program, is upset that the school did not notify him of the main break.

"They did not notify the parents, they did not notify the students. They notified the principals and the principals were told to deal with it," Shepherd said, explaining he'd spoken to school officials but didn't receive any answers. "I got a runaround."

ONWASA issued press releases on its Web site from 12:44 to 5:04 p.m. Monday and said schools were notified before 12:30 p.m. and stayed informed all day. However, Onslow County Schools Director of Public Information Earl Taylor said there wasn't a need to notify parents.

"We're unable to provide information at this time for Swansboro Middle School. Swansboro High School had completed their lunch schedule at the time of the cut-off, which occurred after noon. The school was without water for about 30 minutes and there was no need to inform parents," he said in a faxed response after 5p.m. Tuesday.

Taylor did, however, want to inform parents that the situation is being handled.

"Every precaution is taken to provide a safe and healthy environment for students and staff," he wrote. "Food had already been prepared for Monday's lunch and ready to serve prior to the advisory. Water was boiled and used to wash dishes and utensils. Students and staff were provided bottled water as needed."

Regardless, Shepherd said he is "outraged" that parents were not notified.

"I've drank contaminated water because I needed water (and) there was nothing else to drink. I have kidney problems to this day. I was aboard Camp Lejeune. The water problems they had there in the ‘80s, I'm one of the recipients of that wonderful thing too," Shepherd, a retired master sergeant, said. "I'm concerned about students' health. They told the principals, they told the teachers, (but) they did not inform the parents or the students."

Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461.