UPDATE: Water-boil advisory lifted for Salem County

UPDATE: The Boil Water Advisory for Salem City, Quinton and Mannington township has been lifted.

New Jersey American Water said late Thursday afternoon that no presence of E. coli was found after additional tests, meaning customers no longer had to boil water.

The announcement Thursday from New Jersey American Water said dangerous E. Coli bacteria had been detected in one of their wells.

The well is the source of water for the utility's customers in the Salem County municipalities of Salem City, Quinton and Mannington.

The utility reassured customers that no bacteria had been detected in the water distribution system itself — and further tests did not turn up signs of the bacteria, prompting the utility to drop its water-boil advisory.

What is E. Coli and how could it affect your health?

The bacteria could come from human or animal waste. E. Coli sickness can cause painful diarrhea and headaches. It can also be extremely dangerous for babies and young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

Understanding boil water advisories

When a utility issues a boil advisory, customers should use bottled water or boil their tap for water they use for drinking, making ice, cooking, brushing teeth, washing dishes and feeding pets. Water from the shower or bath for bathing is OK as long as people don't get any in their mouths or on wounds. Water for laundry or watering plants is not affected.

To kill germs in the water, the water should be heated and maintained at boiling point for a minute.

Home filters will not be able to filter out the bacteria.

New Jersey American Water taking action

The utility said it took five more samples from the well to confirm E. coli. The tests were negative.

As a precaution, the company said it adjusted how it disinfects its water.