ROMNEY - Weekend rains created high turbidity in the Romney public water distribution system that resulted in a boil water advisory, according to officials.

Andrea Cosans, director of the Hampshire County Health Department, said the large amount of rain over the weekend stirred up the South Branch of the Potomac River from which the city draws its water, creating the turbidity, and the boil water warning was issued as a precaution.

The warning was expected to expire today at midday, according to C.J. Aylor, assistant director of the Hampshire County Office of Emergency Services.

However, Romney Mayor William Hicks said someone had started a rumor that sewage had gotten into the water.

"That is certainly not the case," he said, noting water samples taken Tuesday came back Wednesday, indicating that there was nothing hazardous in the city's water.

Hicks said about 2,200 families, as well as several schools and businesses in the western half of the county were affected by the boil water advisory.

Augusta Elementary, Romney Elementary, Romney Middle School and Hampshire High School were all closed Wednesday because of the water situation.

The Romney water treatment plant provides water not only to the city but to the Central Hampshire Public Service District, which serves a large part of the county's public water supply.

"We took another sample today and if it comes back all right we'll discontinue the advisory," Hicks said Wednesday. "It will be at least another 24 hours before we know if we can do that."

In addition to the turbidity issue, which the mayor said was rare and "only occurs once in a while when the river gets really muddy," the city was dealing with flooding in some areas as a result of storms Wednesday.

Cosans said the advisory calls for all water for human consumption to be boiled for one minute and allowed to cool before use.

"This goes for washing dishes, drinking water, food preparation, ice, bathing, brushing teeth, any water for human consumption," she said.

Contact Mona Ridder at mridder@times-news.com.