'Emergency Notification': Residents Told To Boil Water After E. Coli Found In Town's Drinking Water

Authorities in Mansfield, Massachusetts, urged people to boil their water in an "Emergency Boil Water Notification" Sunday. This comes after the bacteria E. coli was detected in the town's drinking water.

With the boil order, residents in the affected areas in Mansfield and Foxboro who are served by Mansfield Water Division are advised not to drink the water without boiling it and letting it cool first, authorities noted in the announcement on Facebook. They should also use boiled or bottled water for cooking, making ice, brushing their teeth, washing dishes and preparing food "until further notice" and until the water tests negative for the bacteria for three consecutive days.

E. coli bacteria can be found in the environment, in food and in the intestines of people and animals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Even though many strains can be harmless, others can cause illness.

"E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes," authorities said. "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."

As the authorities noted, the E. coli bacteria was detected in the samples collected on Sept. 7, and they were notified on Sept. 9, at which time they conducted further testing.

"It is significant to point out that this positive test does not institute an immediate boil order rather, as required by MassDEP (Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection), requires the Town to conduct a confirmatory sampling and these results were returned late Saturday night," authorities explained in a news release Sunday, also noting that water gets tested twice monthly "per our Drinking Water Regulations."

Residents in Mansfield and Foxboro may check the announcements to find out if their area is affected by the boil order. Further notices on how to safely use the water are also available. For instance, those using the water for bathing young children should opt for a sponge bath instead of using the bathtub, while those using the shower should be careful not to swallow the water.

For now, authorities have increased efforts at treatment plants and are conducting further investigations. They are also distributing free water to those who need it. People only need an ID to show proof of residency.

"We will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water," authorities noted. "We anticipate resolving the problem by Friday, September 16, 2022."

Those with questions may contact Mansfield Water Division at 508-261-7376.