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<br />Search <br />Orange County officials say water is safe, <br />residents asked to conserve <br />By CBS North CarolinaPublished: February 4, 2017, 2:27 pm Updated: February 4, 2017, 8:12 pm <br /> <br />CARRBORO, N.C. (WNCN) — Authorities in Orange County said Saturday afternoon that <br />water is now safe for drinking and other uses, however about 250 residents are still under a boil- <br />water order in an area where a pipe broke Friday morning. <br />Officials stressed Saturday that customers should limit the use because supplies are still low <br />following the crisis that first developed Thursday when too much fluoride was pumped into a <br />tank. <br />Orange County authorities said Saturday night only Durham water is now being pumped to help <br />restore supplies after workers they restarted the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant <br />following the fluoride problem. <br />“(Officials) tested samples from across the service area to ensure the water is safe for public <br />consumption,” Orange County Health Director Colleen Bridger said in a statement on Saturday. <br />“All of the tests came back safe earlier this afternoon. In light of these results, Orange County <br />Health Department is rescinding the do not use order. Restaurants and hotels are free to re-open. <br />However, we encourage our residents to continue to practice water conservation strategies until <br />OWASA’s storage has been replenished to normal levels.” <br />PREVIOUS STORY: <br />Chapel Hill, Carrboro declare state of emergency over water shortage <br />Despite the all clear for nearly all areas, officials said that residents in the Foxcroft Drive area are <br />under a boil water advisory because they are close to the water main that broke on Friday. <br />Residents will be notified when this precaution is no longer needed, officials said. <br />The boil water area includes 250 residents at the Midtown 501 apartments, officials said <br />Saturday afternoon. <br />“Affected customers will be receiving a notice advising them to boil water before consuming it <br />until we can confirm that the water quality is acceptable,” said Ed Kerwin, OWASA Executive <br />Director. “We will know by 7 a.m. Sunday morning if the boil water advisory can be rescinded.