UDPATE: At approximately 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 9/22/21, the boil water order was lifted.
The Fairhaven public works department issued a boil water order on Friday night, which was scheduled to continue until Wednesday, 9/22. As of press time, the order was still in place.
A routine test of water from one of the wells showed a hit of e-coli. The town then sampled 20 random addresses and one of those also showed bacteria. The boil order was required due to that one test. Subsequent tests of that site came back clean. The state requires three days of bacteria-free tests before the boil order will be listed.
The town posted a notice on its website, sent out reverse 9-11 calls and texts, notified media outlets, and posted on social media to alert residents.
“In addition to all the daily samples collected at the water treatment plant, every two weeks we are required to collect samples from our water wells as well as all throughout the water distribution system to ensure that the public water is safe,” reads the statement.
“The samples that were collected on Tuesday, September 14, showed a hit of 1 e coli in the raw untreated well.
“Even though the water had not been treated as of yet, and the water plant’s treated water showed zero bacteria, we took precaution to take the well out of service and we collected additional samples in the Town’s Water Distribution system.
“From the aforementioned resamples collected, there was an e coli of 1 found in the distribution system.
“As such, although numerous samples were collected in the collection system and only one showed an e coli count of 1, per the DEP’s regulation and to exercise on the side of caution, we issued a boil water order to ensure everyone’s safety.
“We collected additional samples today and will collect them on Monday and Tuesday. Assuming there is no bacteria, we will lift the boil water order come Wednesday.”
Residents should boil water for one minute. Large amounts of water (five gallons or more) should be boiled for five minutes. Residents may also treat the water chemically.
Disinfectant tablets obtained from a wilderness store or Pharmacy may be used. In an emergency, liquid chlorine bleach such as Clorox or Purex can be used at a dose of 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of bleach to each gallon of water. (Careful measurement with a clean dropper or other accurate measuring device is required when using liquid chlorine bleach). Let stand for at least 30 minutes before use. Read the label to see that the bleach has 5-6% available chlorine.
To sign up for the Fairhaven Emergency Alert system, visit https://www.fairhaven-ma.gov/fire-department-ems-ema or call the Fire Department at 508-994-1428
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