High Turbidity Triggers Mandatory Boil Water Advisory for Watertown and Fort Drum

Image Credentials: Image Title: High Turbidity Triggers Mandatory Boil Water Advisory for Watertown and Fort Drum Source: (sora.openai) Date: December 2025. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.

By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies | December 21, 2025

WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Residents in the city of Watertown and several surrounding communities are under a mandatory boil water advisory following a spike in turbidity levels detected during routine testing on Sunday.

City officials confirmed that testing showed turbidity levels at 1.6 units, a significant jump from the standard safety threshold of 0.03 units. The advisory affects all residential and commercial customers who receive city-treated water, including major regional hubs and military installations.

Affected Areas

The City of Watertown serves as a primary water supplier for Jefferson County. The following areas are currently under the boil water notice:

• The City of Watertown

• The Town of Watertown

• Pamelia

• LeRay

• Fort Drum: While the post mixes city water with its own well sources, military officials are currently reviewing safety protocols to determine if on-post housing and facilities must adhere to the boil order.

Safety Instructions

City Manager Eric Wagenaar, who is currently on-site at the water department, has directed residents to take the following precautions until the alert is lifted:

1. Rolling Boil: Bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

2. Cool & Store: Allow the water to cool completely before using for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, or food preparation.

3. Alternative: Use bottled water for all consumption and hygiene needs.

Understanding Turbidity

Turbidity refers to the “cloudiness” or haziness of water caused by large numbers of individual particles. While turbidity itself does not have direct health effects, the city warned that it can serve as a shield for harmful microbes.

“High turbidity can interfere with disinfection and allow harmful microbes—including bacteria, viruses, and parasites—to grow,” the city’s notice stated. “These can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches.”

The city emphasized that infants, the elderly, and those with severely compromised immune systems are at a higher risk and should seek medical advice if they experience persistent symptoms.

The boil water notice remains in effect until further notice. Local officials expect to provide a status update on Monday afternoon following the next round of laboratory testing.