SOUTH KINGSTOWN — An investigation into the source of an E. coli contamination is expected to be completed today after the bacteria was detected last week in the water supply that feeds five local water systems, the Rhode Island Department of Public Health (RIDOH) has said.
A boil water advisory was put in place by RIDOH in parts of South Kingstown and Narragansett Friday after Suez Water—which feeds several local water systems—learned during weekly testing that its water supply had been contaminated with E. coli.
Deb Rizzi, a spokesperson for Suez Water, added the advisory will likely remain effective through the weekend.
“We just want to thank people for their patience and their cooperation.” South Kingstown Town Manager Rob Zarnetske said Tuesday it’s been “a hectic few days” dealing with the advisory.
“The issue primarily has been that the advisory was issued late on the Friday immediately before the start of the Labor Day weekend,” he said, “which was impactful for all of the restaurants and businesses in the area and hit us at a time when folks were leaving for vacation.” Approximately 38,000 residents who get their water from the Suez, Narragansett-Point Judith, Narragansett-North End, South Kingstown-South Shore and South Kingstown-Middlebridge systems have been impacted by the advisory.
He said though that he had heard Thursday about water samples in South Kingstown that had tested positive for E. coli.
School staff members also helped distribute water bottles to the schools.
In a post to the district’s Facebook page, South Kingstown Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow wrote that “out of an abundance of caution” water access in the restrooms at Matunuck, Peace Dale and Wakefield elementary schools would be restricted.
West Kingston Elementary School was not affected by the boil water advisory.
“We will all get through this,” Manni said.