PRUDENCE ISLAND — The Prudence Island Water District is telling customers to boil their water after E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
“These …
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PRUDENCE ISLAND — The Prudence Island Water District is telling customers to boil their water after E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
“These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems,” stated a notice sent out by the District.
The District said bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source, such as during heavy rains. “It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process,” the notice stated.
No one should drink the water without first boiling it for one minute, the District advised. “Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice,” the District stated.
The District said it will be disinfecting and flushing the system, and the R.I. Department of Health will inspect the system in an attempt to identify the source of bacteria. “The system will be retested until tests are negative for bacteria for three consecutive days,” the District said.
“We anticipate resolving the problem within seven days.”
For more information, contact Robert Marshall at 401/683-0011 or rmarshall@pih2o.org. General guidelines on ways to lesson the risk of infection by microbes are available from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800/426-4791.