MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail wishes to provide an update on the ongoing boil water order that remains in effect until further notice for all those who utilize Marion municipal water.
In accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) order and testing schedule, additional water sampling and testing will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 12; Wednesday, Oct. 13; and Thursday, Oct. 14.
In order for the boil water order to be lifted, at least three consecutive rounds of water samples must be clear of any contaminants. Following the DEP’s testing schedule and requirements, the earliest day that the boil water order could potentially be lifted is Friday, Oct. 15. The order will continue if any samples indicate contaminants in the water.
As a result of low water usage in town due to the boil water order, Department of Public Works (DPW) personnel worked over the weekend to pull chlorinated water through the system by flushing hydrants. The DPW currently continues this effort. Residents may notice discoloration in their tap water due to 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.
“I would like to thank our public works employees who worked continuously over the weekend to chlorinate and flush the water lines in town,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “We know that this issue has caused many inconveniences for our residents, but we appreciate their continued cooperation and understanding as we work with the water district and DEP to take every precaution and ensure that the water is safe to use before the boil water order is lifted.”
Hotline for Homebound Residents and Seniors
Homebound residents and seniors served by Marion municipal water who wish to receive free bottled water can call 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.
The chlorination process the town DPW is conducting may affect fish or other aquatic pets, and it is recommended that appropriately boiled and cooled water or bottled water is used instead.
Once the boil water order can be lifted, residents will be provided with additional instructions.
Additional Information
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 multiple samples throughout the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District collected on Tuesday, Oct. 5 tested positive for E. coli.
E. coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group. 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 DEP’s website here.
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