Two Massachusetts towns have lifted their boil water advisories for residents after E. coli was found during routine water testing earlier this week.
North Attleboro and Plainville, which share a water system and treatment facility, each issued the order, after the bacteria was found in samples collected Wednesday from the raw part of the water system and treatment facility. Continued testing followed, and the towns worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
The order was lifted for each town as of 4 p.m. Friday.
“We would like to thank our residents for their cooperation and understanding since the boil water order was issued,” North Attleboro Town Manager Michael Borg said. “We assure our residents that the water has been thoroughly tested and has been deemed safe for public use.”
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“Officials from our respective towns worked diligently to address the issue that was discovered earlier in the week and we thank Mass DEP for their support while the issue was resolved,” Plainville Town Manager Brian Noble said. “We would also like to thank everyone who helped distribute water over the past two days for residents in need.”
While the advisories were active, bottled water was distributed at the North Attleboro Department of Public Works Garage at 240 Smith St. and at the Plainville DPW Yard at 29 West Bacon St.
Symptoms of E. coli can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people may also experience a low fever. Most people will recover in about five to seven days, but in some cases the illness can be severe or even fatal.
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For more information, residents can call the the North Attleboro Department of Public Works at 508-695-7790 or the Plainville Department of Public Works at 508-699-2071.
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