The Connecticut Water Company issued a "Do Not Drink" warning to customers in three towns Friday.
The company said customers of the Amston Lake water system in Hebron, Lebanon and Colchester should not drink water from the tap due to elevated levels of copper in the drinking water. The warning includes a recommendation not to use the water to prepare and cook food, brush teeth, make ice or for any other purpose where water may be consumed.
Levels of copper in the water tested at 5 parts per million. The normal level is 1.3 parts per million according to company officials.
It is alright to use the water for bathing, showering and flushing toilets, according to Connecticut Water.
The water provided by Connecticut Water's wells are not showing elevated levels of copper. The problem appears to be related to an electrical issue in the distribution system, the company said.
The Connecticut State Health Department has been notified about the elevated copper levels.
Connecticut Water has a water tanker parked on Turner Road near Amston Lake to provide safe drinking water for customers who need it.
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Seasonal customers of Amston Lake are not affected, the company said.
