Fairhaven Boil Water Order Lifted

FAIRHAVEN — After around five days, Fairhaven's boil water order has been lifted.

The town's Superintendent of Public Works Vincent Furtado said that all recent water samples have tested negative for fecal bacteria, and the water is now proven safe to drink and cook with.

Residents were asked to boil tap water on Friday after one count of E. coli bacteria was found in the town's treated water distribution system.

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Water samples from the system are regularly taken and tested, Furtado said.

But samples collected on Tuesday last week showed one hit of E. coli, a fecal coliform bacteria, in an untreated water well.

The well was taken out of service as a precaution, and additional water samples were collected — but another count of E. coli was found in the distribution system of treated water, triggering the boil order as per environmental regulations.

E. coli is a fecal coliform bacteria that can cause fever, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Furtado said that the town has an "excellent ongoing testing program" and although officials "never want to issue" a boil order, the point is to keep the community healthy.