BAINBRIDGE - The Chenango County Environmental Health Department has issued a boil water order on Monday, June 8 for the Village of Bainbridge after drinking water samples tested positive for coliform bacteria.

The full notice:

Residents are hereby ordered by the Chenango County Environmental Health Department to boil all water used for drinking and culinary purposes.

A drinking water standard was violated. Drinking water samples collected on June 3, 2026, and on June 5, 2026, showed coliform bacteria in Bainbridge Village's drinking water.

Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this is a warning of potential problems. Because of these factors consumers need to take action to protect their health.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills most bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Whenever coliform bacteria are detected in a sample, follow-up testing is required to determine if other bacteria of greater concern, such as E. coli, are present. E. coli were not found in this testing.

Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not just caused by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

What is being done?

You will be informed when tests show no coliform bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. For more information, please contact Mr. Scott Webb, Superintendent of Public Works for the Village of Bainbridge at 607-967-1313 or the Chenango County Environmental Health Department at 607-337-1673.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

- Information from the Chenango County Environmental Health Department