Rye firefighters and police distribute free cases of bottled water to residents affected by the boil water order. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) Signs in front of the fire station provide information on the boil water order and the time that free bottled water will be available. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) Firefighters and DPW workers prepare cases of water for affected residents. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) Firefighters and DPW workers collaborate to stock the fire station with cases of water for affected residents. (Photo Courtesy Town of Rye) DPW workers use a forklift to unload six pallets of water provided by Ready Refresh, which is helping keep the Town supplied during the emergency. (Courtesy Town of Rye) Firefighters ask for identification to confirm residents are affected by the boil order as they provide free cases of water in front of the fire station. (Courtesy Town of Rye)
RYE — Town Administrator Matthew Scruton and Superintendent Arik Jones report that Firefighters, Police and Department of Public Works employees teamed up to provide free cases of bottled water to Rye residents affected by a boil water order.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, members of the Rye Fire Department, Rye Police Department, and Rye Department of Public Works teamed up to distribute 470 free cases of water to residents in need.
Since the boil order was issued on Oct. 12, residents have needed to boil for at least two minutes any water they intend to use for drinking, cooking, or brushing their teeth, but residents can also use bottled water for all of those uses.
The Town of Rye, the Rye Water District, and the town’s first responders and DPW are now providing one free case of water per day, per resident affected by the boil water order.
“Residents can also boil their water, but when emergencies occur in Rye we come together as Town departments and as a community to support our residents and each other,” said Fire Chief Mark Cotreau. “Any resident in need of water can stop by the fire station to receive a free case of bottled water.”
Cases of water will be distributed daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Rye Fire Station, 555 Washington Road, until the boil order is lifted.
On Wednesday, firefighters received six pallets of Poland Spring water from a local distributor, Ready Refresh, which is ensuring the Town is supplied with bottled water.
Residents lined up in cars outside the fire station, and were handed a case of bottled water after presenting identification to show they are residents served by the Rye Water District. Approximately 3,000 of the Town’s approximately 5,400 residents are affected by the boil water order and eligible to receive free bottled water.
Firefighters, police and DPW workers will be on hand to load the water into vehicles for residents, who can remain in their vehicles.
“It was great to see all the Town Departments come together today to support the bottled water distribution and share this with the community. All available town resources went into planning this and ensuring the needs of the residents were met,” said Town Administrator Scruton. “I commend all the Department heads and staff for working together to make this happen and thank the community for their patience and understanding during this time as the Rye Water District staff continue working around the clock to resolve the drinking water concerns and ensure it’s safety for the public.”
The boil order was issued on Oct. 12, when higher-than-acceptable levels of E.coli bacteria were discovered during routine water test samples. During resampling, E.coli was detected at three locations out of the four sample sites.
The Water District has conducted daily water sampling at four sites and will continue intensive testing until E.coli and coliform bacteria levels return to acceptable levels. The water supply is always tested on a regular basis, which is what led to the discovery of the contamination on Oct. 12.
Though more recent samples show E.coli and coliform bacteria counts above acceptable levels, those counts are trending downward. The Water District is taking numerous steps to continue this trend and identify the source of the contamination.
The Water District has begun a system-wide chlorination, which is standard flushing practice during October. The Water District will resume test sampling once chlorination concludes in several days.
District officials hope to be able to lift the boil order by Saturday, Oct. 29.
The order was issued on Oct. 12, when higher-than-acceptable levels of E.coli bacteria were discovered during routine water test samples. Upon identifying the positive samples, officials immediately engaged the state Department of Environmental Services, issued a boil water order and began public notification.
The boil order remains in effect for all residents within the Rye Water District and will continue until further notice. All water used for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation should be boiled for at least two minutes before use. Use of bottled water is highly encouraged. The town is making bottled water available at the Rye fire station for residents and business owners.
At the direction of the Select Board, the Town’s leadership team – Town Administrator Scruton, Finance Director/Assistant Town Administrator Rebecca Bergeron, Health Officer Dr. Gail Snow, Police Chief Kevin Walsh, Fire Chief Mark Cotreau, and Public Works Director Jason Rucker – and Superintendent Jones met today to receive updates and discuss strategy. Team members remain in constant communication and will meet daily until the order is lifted.
Residents will be notified when the boil order ends. District residents may register for email and/or text alerts by visiting ryewaterdistrict.com and clicking “Sign Up for Alerts.”
About E.coli
E.coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group. There are many strains of . Most are harmless, but some strains can cause illness.
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, may also come from other diseases. Residents with these symptoms, are asked to contact their healthcare provider.
Ice, beverages, formula or uncooked foods that were prepared with District water before Oct. 11 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 order. Fish or other aquatic pets should not be exposed to water containing elevated bacteria levels, and appropriately boiled or bottled water should be used instead.
Further tips and information about E.coli may be found here.
About the Rye Water District
The Rye Water District is a private non-profit municipality, and one of three Districts serving the Town of Rye. The Rye Water District provides public water service to the majority of Rye residents.
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