By KRWG News
Ruidoso – Residents in Otero and Lincoln Counties are being told to boil water before drinking, cooking or washing dishes.
The New Mexico Environment Department's precautionary boil water advisory includes all of Ruidoso.
Health officials say they issued the warning because extreme weather conditions have frozen and ruptured water pipes, possibly contaminating the water supply.
KOB-TV reports the health department has also closed some restaurants that currently have no water and they are asking other restaurants in Ruidoso to close if they have no water at this time.
Inspectors are working with restaurants and other food facilities to reopen as soon as possible.
Another way to stay safe is to use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.
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Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.