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Water samples test negative for contamination, but boil water notice still in effect for many

A "boil water" notice continues for communities in the northtowns affected by Wednesday night's water main break, though there was positive news from the Erie County Health Department Friday. Hhealth commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein says samples from 11 different locations tested negative for bacterial growth. But Burstein says the boil notice is still in effect.

"We need two sets of negative test results to be able to say that there is no risk of bacterial contamination from this event," Burstein told WBFO. 'There could always be false negatives."

People in Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence, Lancaster Newstead and the villages of Depew, Lancaster and Williamsville are advised to boil any water used for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and produce or for making ice.

"We don't want people to panic and think our water is contaminated now," Burstein added. "However, the risk still exists. We want to be sure."

Burstein says the boil water notice will remain in effect at least through Saturday afternoon.

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