RAPIDAN, Va. (7News) — Residents of a portion of Culpeper County, Virginia, served by Wilderness WTP Waterworks have been urged not to drink or use tap water due to contamination, Rapidan Service Authority (RSA) officials told 7News on Thursday.

The notice was issued on Wednesday and officials told 7News on Thursday that they did not know what substance was contaminating the water from the plant.

Instead, residents were told by the RSA and Virginia health officials to use only bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, doing laundry and washing hands. Officials also warned residents not to treat the water themselves.

RSA said it provides water and wastewater service to 5,000 homes and businesses in Madison, Orange and a small portion of Culpeper County. Affected areas include residents of Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Somerset, Edgewood, Germanna Heights, Twin Lakes and along Route 3.

Spotsylvania County and the city of Fredericksburg issued a joint statement saying they were aware of the water problems in Orange and Culpeper counties, but said their public drinking water was not affected.

“Spotsylvania County and the City of Fredericksburg are aware of the current situation in Orange County, Virginia, regarding the Rapidan Service Authority and its response to water quality concerns about a water source, namely the Rapidan River, which flows into the Rappahannock River. Currently, the Motts Run Water Treatment Plant, which supplies drinking water to the City of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, is using the Motts Run Reservoir as its sole raw water source while the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality complete their investigations along the Rapidan River. There is no impact to public drinking water customers in Spotsylvania and the City of Fredericksburg.”

RSA said they will provide drinking water as soon as it is available. Click here for updated information.