Medfield Drinking Water Warning/Information, please SHARE...

Assistant Town Administrator, Kristine Trierweiler provided the following information.

The Town of Medfield has been notified by the DEP that we had a routine water sample test positive for E.coli on October 3, 2018. Follow up samples DID NOT show the presence of E. coli. The Drinking Water Warning which the Town is required to issue explains the steps the DPW is taking including the amount of chlorine and additional flushing of the system. The DPW has been working closely with Mass DEP on our notification requirements. The notification (shown below) has been put out as a DPW News Alert and has been tweeted out. Please share this information.

DRINKING WATER WARNING

Tests show E. coli detected in drinking water served by: Medfield Water Department, located in Medfield, MA

We were notified on October 4, 2018 by the laboratory that a sample collected on October 3, 2018 was positive for E. Coli bacteria. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. Bacterial contamination can occur due to a break or other disturbance in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process. Required follow-up samples were collected on October 4, 2018, however, one sample was collected at an invalid location, which is a violation of the Revised Total Coliform Rule, and required that we issue this notice. It should be noted that all valid follow-up samples collected on October 4, 2018 did not show the presence of E. Coli.

What should I do?

You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk and should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791.

What does this mean?

E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During October 2018, we did not complete all required monitoring or testing for total coliform and E. coli, and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time.

What is being done?

The water department has increased the amount of chlorine being added to the water, and is flushing the system while it investigates potential causes for the contamination, and awaits further follow-up sample results. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria.

For more information, please contact the Medfield DPW at (508) 359-8597 Ext 3311 or at 459 Main Street. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by Medfield Water Department PWS ID# 2175000

Date distributed: October 5, 2018