A boil-water notice has been issued for Westerly Water Department customers because of contamination by E. coli bacteria, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
A boil-water notice has been issued for Westerly Water Department customers because of contamination by E. coli bacteria, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Customers are advised to use bottled water or to boil vigorously for at least one minute all water used for human consumption, including drinking, food preparation, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes.
Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Infants and young children should not be bathed in unboiled water because they could swallow it accidentally.
The advisory will remain in effect until the Water Department has treated the system to restore bacteria counts to acceptable levels.
The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.
The Westerly Water Department sells water to customers throughout the Town of Westerly and to customers in Pawcatuck, Connecticut.
Samples will be collected throughout the distribution system on Thursday, Nov. 16, to determine the extent of the contamination, and sample results will be available Friday.
For more information, call the Westerly Water Department at (401) 348-2561.