Do Not Drink Order: Firefighting Foam Gets Into Harwich Water System

HARWICH, MA — Residents of one section of a Cape Cod town are under a do not drink order after a building fire led to accidental water contamination.

Harwich Fire Department officials shared on Wednesday that foam was used during a Tuesday building fire in Dennis.

On Wednesday, town officials received multiple calls from North Harwich residents reporting bubbles or foam in their drinking water in the Great Western Road area, where the fire happened the previous night.

The water department began flushing the hydrant soon after and found what appeared to be foam. This prompted the order, and officials said an "extensive flushing of the water distribution system in the impacted area" was completed by about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

However, the do not drink order remains in place until a lab can approve that no contaminants remain. Town officials expect that update sometime Thursday afternoon.

The affected area is "Depot St from the Dennis town line north to the Brewster town line and Main Street from Queen Anne Rd west to the Dennis town line," officials said.

Officials explained how they believe this happened in the post below:

How To Get Water On Thursday

The Harwich Fire Department shared details about pickup and dropoff options for bottled water that is included below:

"Bottled water will also be available for pickup tomorrow April 11th at the Harwich Treasure Chest adjacent to the disposal area at 209 Queen Anne Road, between the hours of 10am-2pm. Water will also be available for pickup during the hours of 2pm-6pm, at the rear of the Fire Station at 175 Sisson Rd."

"For residents in the affected area unable to travel to the pickup location, please contact 508-767-5613 to coordinate delivery/drop off."