E. Coli Concerns In Johnston County Water Lead To Restaurants Closing

The efforts to prevent personal injuries through an order to boil water in Johnston County has resulted in many restaurants in Smithfield being forced to close until public health officials are able to determine if water there is safe for consumption.

On June 30, the Johnston County Health Department issued a mandatory advisory for all of the county’s residents to boil water after the presence of fecal coliform bacteria (E. coli) was detected in water samples.

Residents of Johnston County have been asked to boil all water used for human consumption, such as drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, and washing hands. Boiling water for at least one minute should kill any bacteria.

Health concerns have caused restaurants and some other businesses to close until further notice.

Town officials expected test results to return on the afternoon of July 1 in order to determine if the order could be lifted.