Friday’s Water Samples in Marion Were Clean
MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail would like to share an update regarding the town’s ongoing boil water order that will remain in effect until further notice for all those who utilize Marion municipal water.
Per Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements, the earliest that the boil water order may be lifted is on Tuesday, Oct. 19.
In accordance with the requirements of the DEP order and testing schedule, water sampling and testing took place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week.
Samples taken on Tuesday, Oct. 12; Wednesday, Oct. 13; and Friday, Oct. 15 were clean with no detection of total coliform or E. coli. However, two samples that were taken on Thursday, Oct. 14, tested positive for total coliform and absent of E. coli.
The town will continue to conduct further testing with additional water samples taken today. Test results will be announced as information becomes available.
“We are hopeful that in the very near future the Town will be able to lift its boil water order for those who are using municipal water, but until then we continue to remain in direct contact with the DEP and are adhering to all of their guidance and requirements,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “I would once again like to thank our public works personnel and town employees who have continuously worked to address this situation over the past two weeks, and our community members’ patience and understanding as we work through this issue.”
Please note that while other towns in the region may have their boil water orders lifted, Marion’s is still in effect until further notice.
The Marion Department of Public Works (DPW) continues to work diligently to pull chlorinated water from the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Treatment Plant (MRV WTP) through the distribution system by flushing hydrants. Because the source of chlorine (MRV WTP) is located in Mattapoisett, it takes longer for the chlorine to reach the extremities of the Marion distribution system. To supplement this process, Marion is chlorinating our water tanks again today.
Residents may notice discoloration in their tap water due to the continued hydrant flushing. This is a normal effect of hydrant flushing, and residents should not be concerned by the discoloration. Residents who notice discoloration can run their cold water tap for a few minutes until it becomes clear and then proceed with the boil water order guidelines for water use.
Public Water Distribution
Seniors and home-bound residents who didn’t attend the public water distribution event at the Marion Community Center on Saturday, Oct. 16, can still call the town’s hotline at 508-748-3072 and leave a message with their information to be contacted about a delivery.
Reminders for Residents
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.
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.
Once the boil water order can be lifted, residents will be provided with additional instructions.
Additional information regarding drinking water boil orders and other public health orders can be found on the DEP’s website here.
###