Residents of Mansfield and Foxboro in Massachusetts are under a boil water advisory due to the presence of E. coli bacteria.
According to town officials, the boil water notification applies to residents of the two towns, which are served by the Mansfield Water Division, reported Boston.com. Most of Mansfield residents are affected and Foxboro residents who receive water from Mansfield are advised to take action.
E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply from a sample collected Sept. 7, according to Mansfield officials, reported Boston.com. The town was notified of the positive sample on Sept. 9 before informing Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Three repeat samples were collected on Sept. 7 as well, with results confirming a “Maximum Contaminant Level violation."
The warning applies to:
- Residents of East Belcher Road from the landfill to Spring Street
- Residents of Spring Street from East Belcher Road to the Town Line
- Residents of Souza Avenue
- Residents of Barros Lane; And
- Residents of 131 Morse St.
However, "residents that live on Balcom Street from Justin Drive to Gilbert Street, excluding Martha’s Way, and all of Bungay Street do not need to boil their water, as drinking water for these areas comes from Attleboro," reported
Town staff are hosting free water handout stations for Mansfield residents at the Mansfield Department of Public Works Complex beginning Sept. 18, open Sept. 18 until 6 p.m., as well as from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 to 21.
Residents must bring a form of identification to verify that they live in Mansfield (driver’s license, vehicle registration, lease agreement, or utility bill.)
According to a notification from the town of Mansfield, such contamination like this can be caused by increased runoff entering the water system after heavy rains, or a break in the pipe system or a failure in the water treatment process, reported Boston.com.
According to town staff, there are increased chlorine levels at all treatment plants. Additionally, Mansfield will work with MassDEP officials to investigate and resample, with the goal of solving the issue by Friday, Sept. 16. Residents are still advised to await further notification from the town.
Residents are directed to the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
