First Supply Tested E Coli Free: South Kingstown Water Supply

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Officials investigating E Coli contamination in the water supply have not found the source, but South Kingstown town officials said water treatment is working. Wednesday's tests from the Suez water supply came back E Coli free.

Suez Water was one of the five public water systems contaminated with E Coli in Narragansett and South Kingstown. There's no update at this time on the other four supplies.

A negative test is the first step towards the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) ending the boil boil water advisory in the two affected communities. RIDOH cannot lift the boil water advisory until test results show no E Coli in the water for three days in a row.

The decontamination process has involved heavily chlorinating the water supply. According to RIDOH, chlorine at this level is not considered dangerous.

"Larger drinking water systems use chlorine, even when there is no contamination issue, because chlorine disinfects and kill germs," RIDOH Public Information Officer Joseph Wendelken said in a press release. "The levels of chlorine in the five systems are being increased to further disinfect the pipes."

RIDOH said its continuing to work with water provider Suez to find the source of the contamination. Some common causes investigated include broken pipes and back flow in the water system.

"Using computer modeling, field inspection and sampling, the water systems and RIDOH are continuing to evaluate different potential sources of the issue," Wendelken said.

South Kingstown officials announced that the West Kingston Park water filling station will be open atleast until Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. People are asked to bring their own water bottles, however a few bottles will be available if needed. West Kingston park is located at 3840 Kingstown Road in West Kingston.

Images via Shutterstock and Rhode Island Department of Health