Younger: At This Time ... No Positive E. Coli Samples In Water

A release from the town of Stoneham:

STONEHAM -- Town Administrator Thomas G. Younger, Fire Chief and Acting Emergency Management Director Matthew Grafton, Water and Sewer Director Robert Radigan and Board of Health Agent John Fralick report that the town of Stoneham has issued a mandatory boil water order as of today.

Residents and business owners are advised that they should boil tap water for drinking and other human consumption uses like cooking, brushing teeth and hand washing.

This is a precautionary measure being taken by the town as a result of a positive coliform sample taken at the Whipple Avenue sampling site. No residents have reported any issues with the water as of Friday afternoon.

"It is important to note that, at this time, there are no positive E. Coli samples in the town's water supply and we are issuing the mandatory boil water while we investigate further," Town Administrator Younger said.

The order will remain in place until at least Sunday, Sept. 16.

"We appreciate everyone's patience and we will do our best to make sure that the order gets lifted as quickly as possible," Chief Grafton said. "The safety and wellness of our residents is one of our highest priorities and we want to ensure that the drinking water in town is of the highest quality."

Stoneham Public Schools Superintendent John Macero said that bottled water and hand sanitizer has been made available to students throughout the day and will continue to be given out next week, if necessary.