Although residents can now use tap water for bathing or laundry, it is still not safe to drink and some question whether it should be used at all. A petroleum odor is dissipating but is still detectable in the water. And neither the Rapidan Service Authority nor the Virginia Department of Health have determined what contaminated the water.

On Wednesday, the Rapidan Service Authority said it had found hydrocarbons in the water at its Wilderness Water Treatment Plant, which serves eastern Orange County. Hydrocarbons are a broad category of organic compounds found in crude oil, natural gas and coal. Consumption of hydrocarbons can cause upset stomach, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Tests conducted Wednesday found that the hydrocarbons in the water were not volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a broad category that includes chemicals found in thousands of products, such as solvents, aerosols, flame retardants and formaldehyde.

Further tests did not produce a clear result.

In an update Monday evening, the health department’s Drinking Water Division said it had completed another round of on-site surveys and inspections at the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System. The plant serves the communities of Lake of the Woods, Locust Grove, Wilderness Shores, Somerset Farms, Edgewood, Germanna Heights and Twin Lakes, as well as the Virginia Route 3 corridor. Samples continue to confirm that the drinking water meets federal and state drinking water standards and will be used to determine the source of the reported odor. Health department officials plan another inspection for Tuesday, after which the do not drink advisory will be reevaluated.

Meanwhile, residents are taking to social media to question the situation. Some, like Locust Grove resident Patrick Chaffin, posted pictures of dark, discolored water, while others, like Leigh Crump, said their water was clear but had an unusual smell. Still others said flushing their pipes helped, and some had no problems at all.

The Rapidan Service Authority has flushed the system and although VDH officials explain that the odor is not necessarily a contamination, it must be sufficiently removed from the system before the warning can be lifted.

Faucets that produce a noticeable odor should be flushed, according to the Rapidan Service Authority and the Virginia Department of Health. Instructions on how to flush can be found at www.rapidan.org. Residents are encouraged to record how long it takes to flush faucets and how many faucets in their home needed to be flushed and report it to the Rapidan Service Authority during normal business hours.

Anyone who continues to have problems with their water after flushing is asked to fill out the contact form on the RSA website rapidan.org/contact-us.

According to the current recommendation, residents may use water for bathing, flushing toilets, washing clothes and other purposes, provided that no water is consumed. Parents are asked to closely supervise their children while bathing to avoid choking. Tap water must not be used for drinking, preparing drinks or food, washing dishes, cleaning surfaces that come into contact with food, making ice cream or coffee or brushing teeth.

As a result, all affected restaurants in eastern Orange County must remain closed until the warning is lifted. Some, like those at Locust Grove Town Center, are connected to wells and are unaffected by the water problem.

Bottled and bulk water will continue to be distributed at locations throughout Orange County, including Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse. Bulk water distributions require people to bring their own containers with sealed lids. Although the water comes from a potable source, boiling it before cooking or drinking is recommended. Bottled water will be available from noon to 6 p.m. at the Wilderness Library.

More information will be available online at rapidan.org.