Mandatory Boil Order Water Issued In Haddam

HADDAM, CT — The Connecticut Water Company has issued a boil water order Friday for the following towns: Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Chester, and the Guilford Water System in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, and Guilford.

"Do not drink your tap water without boiling it first," the company said. "We have detected E. coli, a harmful bacteria, during routine testing at one sample point in Essex and issued a mandatory boil water order."

The bacteria, officials said, can potentially make people ill.

"They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems," the company said.

"Until further notice, you should bring your tap water to a boil for one minute, and then let it cool before drinking it, using it in food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes," the company added. "We have consulted with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and are doing additional sampling at numerous locations in our delivery system. We expect results from those tests in 24 hours."