READING, Mass. — The Reading Water Department recently detected E. coli bacteria in drinking water at a building at 295 Salem Street and, until further notice, said to boil all water.
The positive test came from a collection of routine samples grabbed on Oct. 31 at 10 locations throughout Reading. Follow-up sampling confirmed the bacteria, which can make people sick, especially those with weakened immune systems.
The bacterial contamination can happen when increased run-off water enters the drinking water source, from a break in the distribution system pipes or a failure in the water treatment process.
Until further notice, Reading officials said to boil water for at least one minute before drinking or using for making ice, cooking, for pets, brushing teeth or washing dishes. Or use bottled water instead.
They said to throw away all ice, drinks, uncooked foods, and formula made with tap water used on or after Oct. 31.
"You have to do what you have to do," said Joan McLaughlin of Reading. "We're boiling water, we have bottled water, and we're drinking champagne."
"We got a telephone call, robocall, telling us about e-coli in one of the samples and telling us what to do with your water and whatnot," said one resident, John Williams. "And here we are buying water."
The town collected more samples on Nov. 1 per the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Sites upstream and downstream tested clean, but the initial site retested positive for a low level of coliform bacteria.
"We called as many neighbors as we could as soon as we heard about it just to make sure they knew," said McLaughlin.
For more information, contact the Reading Water Operations Center at (781) 942-6663 or check the town website for updates.
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