Boil water advisory lifted in Kannapolis after E. coli found in drinking water

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (WBTV) — A boil water advisory was lifted Saturday for the city of Kannapolis and a small area of Concord after E. coli was found in the drinking water.

Officials said local and state water tests confirmed that the water is safe for any purpose, and it was no longer necessary to boil water before use.

However, residents and businesses were encouraged to flush water lines, faucets, appliances, and replace filters that may have trapped contaminants before using the water.

Why a boil water notice?

The boil water notice went into effect across Kannapolis, and a small area of Concord and the town of Landis served by Kannapolis’ water system, starting Friday, April 24. The boil notice was issued “until further notice,” the city reported.

The advisory was issued after E. coli was found in during “regular testing procedures,” reports said.

The E. coli discovery was called a “temporary issue” by the city. The boil water advisory was expected to be lifted within 24 hours once the water was confirmed to be free of contaminants, city officials said.

Previous coverage: Boil water advisory issued in Kannapolis after E. coli found in drinking water

In response, the city said it flushed and treated the water system to eliminate contaminants. However, residents were urged to boil all water used for cooking and eating, drinking, cleaning, and the like.

Multiple schools and businesses were closed early Friday to comply with city guidance.

Officials revealed that E. coli could indicate that the water was contaminated with human or animal wastes, though the exact source of the contamination was not clear.

The boil water notice was lifted for all affected region around 6 p.m. Saturday evening.

Read more —> Teen arrested, charged with murder after social media meetup turns deadly at public park

What to do after a boil water advisory

A boil water advisory means the water may contain harmful germs, including E. coli.

E. coli is a bacteria that can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting — especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

Though the boil water was lifted, officials recommend the following steps before using water in your home or business.

What residents should do:

• Flush Cold Water Faucets: Open all cold water taps throughout your home and let them run for at least 15 minutes to clear the service lines.
• Clear Hot Water Lines: Run all hot water faucets for at least 15 minutes to ensure the water in your water heater is replaced with fresh, treated water.
• Refresh Ice and Water Systems: Discard any ice produced during the advisory and cycle your ice maker or water dispenser at least three times before using.
• Maintain Appliances: Run your dishwasher on a full, empty cycle using the hot water setting to flush any potentially stagnant water from the system.
• Service Water Treatment: Replace all water filter cartridges—including those in refrigerators, pitchers, and under-sink systems—as they may have trapped contaminants during the advisory.
• Shower and Laundry: Flush your showerheads by running them for several minutes, and run your washing machine through a cycle on the hot setting before washing clothes.

Kannapolis city openings

The following businesses and events were opened again on Saturday:

• The Gem Theatre
• The Swanee Theatre Concert
• All City Parks and Shelters
• The Cannon Ballers Game

The city released the following statement:

“We know this has been a difficult couple of days and we are grateful to our community for stepping up to distribute water to those who in need and for your patience as we followed all procedures to ensure we have quality drinking water”

–> Other news: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools cancels class due to massive teachers rally in Raleigh