A boil-water advisory for much of Narragansett and South Kingstown is expected to remain in effect into the weekend as officials continue working to locate and address the source of E. coli bacteria detected in the local water supply.
They’re preparing their report to the state, and we expect testing to begin soon,” South Kingstown Town Manager Robert Zarnetske said Tuesday.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, the advisory was issued after E. coli was detected during routine sampling by SUEZ, which supplies the other affected water systems.
They will review the data and determine when the boil-water advisory can be lifted.” According to the Department of Health, the advisory will remain in effect “until corrective actions are completed, three consecutive days of satisfactory bacteria results are obtained, and RIDOH approves the lifting of the advisory.” A bottle-filling station was set up at the Kingston Fire Station on Bills Road after the announcement of the boil-water advisory, although the Department of Health on Tuesday announced the station has been moved to West Kingston Park at 3840 Kingstown Road in West Kingston.
Those measures have included the delivery of more than 200 five-gallon water bottles, along with water coolers, to the school district, and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency’s delivery of pallets of bottled water to South Kingstown High School.
“We will have bottled water available for students for drinking and in the cafeterias for cooking, and we will have hand sanitizer available in lavatories.
The state also offered guidance for those in need of special assistance.
The Rhode Island Department of Health is communicating guidance to restaurants and other food establishments in the area.” The release also states: “E.
Under this standard, drinking water must be free of these bacteria for water to be consumed from a system.” Residents are advised to contact a health care provider if someone served by one of the affected water systems experiences diarrhea and any of the following symptoms: fever over 101.5 degrees, blood in the stool, prolonged vomiting, signs of dehydration or diarrheal illness lasting more than three days.
South Kingstown-South Shore: 401-789-9331 (South Kingstown Town Hall) South Kingstown-Middlebridge: 401-789-9331 (South Kingstown Town Hall)