As Bristol’s water utility plans for repairs, a well that tested positive for E. coli last week will remain out of service, officials said this week.
The water department emphasized that the public water supply was never compromised; the test showed contamination only in one supply of raw water that hadn’t been treated yet.
“People should know their water is perfectly safe and always was,” Superintendent Robert Longo said.
Longo said that’s what happened in Bristol.
“All water from our wells is treated and disinfected with chlorine before entering the distribution system in order to eliminate bacteria,” the utility said in a statement.
Even so, Well 3 is out of service until staff and contractors can determine what repairs are necessary.
Well 3, near Mix Street, provides some of the supply for homes and businesses east of Route 229 and south of Maple Avenue.
Well 3 normally yields about 300,000 gallons of water daily.
The city uses 6 million to 6.5 million gallons daily, and the chilly temperatures and wet weather mean demand is at the low end of the usual spectrum, Longo said.
So taking Well 3 offline isn’t a problem, Longo said.