Two Samples in Marion Positive with Total Coliform, No E. Coli Detected
MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail reports that the ongoing boil water order will continue to 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 DEP requirements, water sampling and testing took place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Samples taken on Tuesday and Wednesday were clean with no detection of total coliform or E. coli. However, two of the samples taken on Thursday, Oct. 14, were positive for total coliform and absent of E. coli.
The town will continue to do further testing in the coming days and test results will be announced as information becomes available. We will continue to be in direct contact with DEP and follow their guidance and requirements.
Please note that other towns in the region may have their boil water orders lifted as soon as today, but Marion’s is still in effect until further notice.
“Despite everyone working very hard to resolve this issue, unfortunately we are unable to lift the boil water order at this time,” Town Administrator McGrail said. “Testing will continue in the coming days and we will provide further updates as soon as we receive new information. I appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work through this issue. The safety and well-being of our residents and community members is one of our top priorities and this includes having safe and clean drinking water.”
Marion Department of Public Works (DPW) personnel will continue to work pulling chlorinated water through the system by flushing hydrants. However, due to the low water usage in town currently, this process is taking longer than anticipated. 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.
Public Water Distribution Saturday Afternoon
On Saturday, the Town of Marion will be hosting a public water distribution event open to all Marion and Rochester residents who are served by Marion municipal water.
The event will take place between 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at Marion Fire Station 2, located at 871 Point Road.
Cases of bottled water will be given out to residents while supplies last.
Seniors and home-bound residents 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.
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 regarding drinking water boil orders and other public health orders can be found on the DEP’s website here.
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