WATER carters have been warned off using a Singleton standpipe as a water quality predicament for residents in several suburbs extends.
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Residents in parts of Singleton have been urged to put their water through extra cleansing steps before ingesting it after an issue following heavy rain.
Singleton Council on Monday night warned residents in The Glade, Gowrie and Hambledon Hill that their drinking water "is unsafe" by door-knocking in the suburbs.
They are also working to advise residents in Maison Dieu.
Water sampling results on Tuesday forced the body to expand that area to include McDougalls Hill.
"Water sampling results received late yesterday showed turbidity above and chlorine levels below the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines," the council said in a statement.
"Council takes this issue very seriously and made contact with NSW Health immediately on receipt of the results. A boil water alert was then issued as a precautionary action."
The council said it was working to fix the problem but that the advice was in place until further notice, later clarifying that it was consulting with NSW Health until sampling revealed the water was safe to drink.
"Water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe," the council advised on Monday night.
"Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated."
Bottled water or cooled boiled water should also be used for drinking, washing uncooked food, making ice, cleaning teeth, gargling and drinking water for pets.
"Dishes should be washed in hot soapy water or in a dishwasher," the council warned.
"Children should take bottled water or cool boiled water to school."
Those unable to boil water have been advised to use unscented house bleach with 4 to 5 per cent available chlorine, adding two drops to one litre of water or four drops if the water is cloudy.
Residents are advised to mix well and let the liquid stand for 30 minutes before use.
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