MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services has issued a boil water order for all water customers in the village of Brocton and town of Portland.

All water used for drinking and cooking should be boiled first or use bottled water. The mandatory water use restrictions placed into effect Wednesday will also continue until further notice.

“All outside water use will not be allowed. Do not use water for filling swimming pools, washing cars or watering lawns and gardens until further notice. Please also limit indoor water use where possible,” the county said in a press release.

“Water pressure in several areas of Brocton and Portland are very low because of a water main break that occurred Tuesday night and it is anticipated that some customers will not have water service. Water District staff, with assistance from surrounding communities, are busy searching for the source of the leak and have called in the NYS Rural Water Association and Jamestown Board of Public Utilities to help locate and fix the problem.

“All water customers must boil their water until further notice. Water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and making coffee must be brought to a rolling boil for one minute then cooled prior to use. Do not drink the water without boiling it first or use bottled water.

“When the distribution pipes and mains lose pressure it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes could enter the system. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other microbes that could be present.

“The Water District is working to locate the water main break but they need the public’s help in finding it. All residents in the area are requested to look for any unusually wet areas or large amounts of water flowing in ditches or storm sewers and contact the village or town if they see anything. The Water District will be using an emergency connection to the town of Pomfret/village of Fredonia to help supplement their water supply. It is anticipated the boil water order will be lifted sometime next week.”

For more information, please contact the Village of Brocton at 792-4160 or the town of Portland at 792-9614 or the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services at 753-4481 or check the Health and Human Services website at co.chautauqua.ny.us/219/Health-Human-Services for updates when available.