Order Remains in Effect Until Further Notice, Hotline Available for Seniors and Homebound Residents to Request Bottled Water
MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail wishes to provide an update on the ongoing boil water order that is in effect throughout Marion.
The boil water order remains in effect for all those who utilize Marion municipal water, and will remain in effect until testing has shown that the water is safe to use. Additional updates are expected to be available early next week.
All tap water should be boiled for at least one minute prior to use, or bottled water should be used as an alternative until further notice.
In addition to Marion, the towns of Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, as well as Rochester residents served by Marion municipal water also remain under boil water orders. The order was issued after the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District reported that routine water samples collected on Tuesday, Oct. 5 tested positive for E. coli.
The cause of the contamination remains unknown at this time and re-sampling will continue into next week. The Mattapoisett River Valley Water District and Town of Marion are also continuing with temporary chlorination and flushing of the distribution systems.
An additional PSA video with information about the boil water order, produced by Old Rochester Community TV and featuring Mattapoisett Water Superintendent Henri Renauld, can be viewed here.
Hotline for Homebound Residents and Seniors
The Town of Marion has established a hotline for homebound residents and seniors to request a free delivery of bottled water.
Homebound residents and seniors who wish to receive bottled water can call 508-748-3072 and leave a message with their information to be contacted about a delivery.
Instructions for Residents
Residents are reminded of the following instructions regarding the boil water order:
- All tap water that will be used for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation should be boiled for at least one minute prior to use, or bottled water should be used as an alternative.
- Any ice, beverages, formula or uncooked foods that were prepared with water from the public water system on or after Oct. 5 should be discarded.
- Pets should be given bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator, should not be used for pets while under a boil water order.
- Fish or other aquatic pets should not be exposed to water containing elevated bacteria levels, and appropriately boiled and cooled water or bottled water should be used instead.
Additional Information
E. coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group. There are many strains of E. coli, most of which are harmless, but some strains can cause illness. Marion officials have not received any reports of illness related to this incident at this time.
Symptoms of E. coli sickness can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. These symptoms may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with water-borne illness; they may also come from other diseases. If you are ill with any of the above symptoms, please contact your health care provider.
Additional information regarding drinking water boil orders and other public health orders can be found on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s website here.
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