Bennett residents are being warned not to drink the water this week after a construction site accident caused a water-main break.
The state health department on Tuesday advised town officials to restrict consuming and cooking with tap water as a safety precaution while chlorine levels were adjusted in the water system.
The restrictions were expected to last at least until this afternoon but could be in place until Friday, town and Salvation Army officials said.
The restrictions stem from a water-main break early Tuesday morning at a construction site in the 1000 block of First Street, which affected about 700 homes and businesses, officials said. Water was completely shut off for about six hours.
The line was sanitized and chlorine levels were adjusted after the repairs were completed. But concerns still remain. It is recommended that bottled water be used for cooking, brushing teeth and drinking. Tap water should be used only for bathing and laundry.
The Salvation Army began distributing more than 14,400 bottles of water and sent a 525-gallon water tank to Bennett on Wednesday. King Soopers has also contributed water to town residents.
Staff writer Manny Gonzales can be reached at 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com.
