FIRST ON 3: VA clinic warned not to use water

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Public Utility Authority spokesman Mike McGill says the utility is advising Wilmington’s VA super clinic not to use the water.

McGill says the clinic’s operating manager reached out to CFPUA last week when the staff noticed discoloration in the water. McGill says the water at the clinic is not CFPUA’s responsibility, because they checked CFPUA’s water quality going into the clinic. They found the problem coming from the water within the clinic’s copper pipes, but McGill says CFPUA has the tools to help. McGill says they are not sure whether copper is in the water.

CFPUA issued the warning yesterday after tests found discoloration and grit in the water. The advisory is in effect until they can figure out how to fix the problem. McGill says although the problem has nothing to do with CFPUA, it is working with the clinic to try to solve the issue. The warning advises not to use the water for human consumption including cooking, making ice, drink mixing, food preparation and hand washing.

VA Public Affairs Spokesman Jeffrey Melvin says the clinic will stay open for now using precautionary measures. Those measures include water jugs and hand sanitizer. Melvin says procedures were cancelled yesterday, but they should resume tomorrow.

Veteran Johnny Puckett noticed there was something going on when he visited the clinic.

“They have all of the water fountains taped off with plastic and tape,” Puckett said.

He said while it’s concerning, he can’t imagine what would happen if the clinic closed.

“With as many veterans as we have in this area and how many veterans are receiving services from this facility I don’t see how they could close down,” Puckett said.

Melvin says they cannot use the tap water until they find out what the problem is.