Associated Press Published

West Virginia City Says Drinking Water Possibly Contaminated

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A small city in southern West Virginia is telling residents not to drink tap water because of possible contamination.

The city of Gary issued the warning Friday evening, saying there’s a possible introduction of “coal refuse” into the city’s raw well water source.

The city said in the release the water will be tested but residents have been warned not to drink tap water.

“Boiling will not purify the water. Do not drink the water, even if it is boiled. The type of contamination suspected is not removed by boiling,” the release says.

The city is located in the southern tip of the state near the Virginia border.

City officials say they are taking samples of the water and said they expect to resolve the problem within seven days.