Boil Water Advisory Issued in Rochester Following Discovery of Body in Reservoir Last Week
ROCHESTER, NY — A grim discovery was made Tuesday morning at a reservoir in western New York, leading to a city-wide boil water advisory for Rochester residents. A human body, identified as that of an adult male, was found in the Highland Park Reservoir, which is a source of drinking water for the area.
City workers performing routine checks spotted the body around 8 a.m., prompting immediate action to disconnect the reservoir from the public water supply. Plans were set in motion to drain and clean the reservoir thoroughly. While the cause of death remains unclear, police and the medical examiner’s office are conducting investigations to identify the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Despite testing that indicated the water remained safe, Rochester officials issued the advisory as a precautionary measure to several neighborhoods. Mayor Malik Evans stressed the importance of caution, describing the incident as “very, very sad” and underscoring the potential risk to the city’s water supply.
In response to the advisory, the Rochester City School District announced the closure of all schools on Wednesday. Residents are urged to boil tap water for one minute before cooling and using it for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. The city assures that the reservoir will remain offline until it has been fully drained, cleaned, and deemed safe for reconnection to the water supply.