Zero Cases of E. Coli Associated Illness Reported in Rye
RYE — Town Administrator Matthew Scruton, Select Board Chair Philip D. Winslow and Water Superintendent Arik Jones would like to provide the following information to residents and community members regarding the ongoing boil water order for the Rye Water District.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, the Rye Water District’s system-wide chlorination efforts reached levels of chlorine that are deemed acceptable by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). System testing will occur Monday, Oct. 24 and Tuesday, Oct. 25. The next two tests are vital toward lifting the boil water order in the coming week.
E.coli related illnesses are required to be reported to public health officials by all doctors. As of Sunday, Oct. 23 there have been zero confirmed cases of E.coli related illness in Rye. Public health officials attribute this to early warning and members of the public adhering to the boil water order. Town leaders urge residents to remain vigilant until an “all clear” is declared.
State and local officials are actively investigating to determine the cause of the water contamination. That investigation remains active and ongoing.
Public health officials, including Rye Health Officer Dr. Gail Snow, believe that the risk of E.coli related illness is considered low, but until testing results reach and maintain an appropriate number consistent with NHDES standards, Rye will remain vigilant in mitigating the situation.
The boil water order was implemented on Oct.12 due to E.coli and coliform being discovered in water testing sites. The initial investigation found that three of four distribution sites came back positive for E.coli and coliform bacteria.
Rye Water District began a system-wide chlorination process on Thursday, to flush out any remaining bacteria that had been found previously in the distribution sites.
Since implementing the boil water order, at the direction of the Select Board, the Town’s leadership team – Town Administrator Scruton, Finance Director/Assistant Town Administrator Rebecca Bergeron, Dr. Snow, Police Chief Kevin Walsh, Fire Chief Mark Cotreau, and Public Works Director Jason Rucker – and Superintendent Jones have been in constant communication, meeting daily to mitigate this situation as soon as possible.
The town is hopeful that the boil water order will be lifted sometime this week, as test results have trended in the right direction.
The members of the Rye Leadership Team would like to express their appreciation to the citizens of Rye for their continued patience, as the town works toward the common goal of clean and safe drinking water.
“The town leaders and the Rye Select Board understand this situation is unacceptable, and I want to commend our residents for their diligence and resilience during this boil water order,” Select Board Chair Winslow said.
“I want to express my gratitude not only to our leadership team for working tirelessly to put an end to this crisis but to the Rye community for their unwavering support and patience,” said Town Administrator Scruton. “We will continue to work diligently, using all of our resources to put an end to the boil order as soon as it is deemed appropriate to do so. We want to acknowledge our community for working with us and being patient during this entire situation.”
Testing results from Oct. 4 through Oct. 17 are available below.
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