COTUIT WATER DEPARTMENT
DRINKING WATER VIOLATION FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2011
The Cotuit Water Department recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do and what we did to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. We took thirty-five (35) samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria from 11/1/11 to 11/30/11. Six (6) of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one (1) sample may do so.
From 12/1/11 to 12/14/11 we took 13 samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria. Four (4) of those samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one (1) sample may do so.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at l (800) 426-4791.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified immediately. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.
Usually, coliforms are a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing. If we had, we would have notified you immediately.
What happened? What is being done?
Four of our routine sample sites tested positive for total coliform. Repeat samples at one location tested positive on two different dates. Repeat and designated upstream and downstream samples at three other locations tested negative.
During routine samples collected on 11/7/11, one sample tested positive for total coliform. On 11/9/11, a repeat sample was taken along with the designated downstream. Both of those samples came back negative for total coliform.
During routine samples collected on 11/21/11, three samples tested positive for total coliform. On 11/23/11, repeat samples with designated upstream and downstream were taken at all three locations. One tested positive for total coliform. The department flushed pipes in the area and took repeat and upstream and downstream samples on 11/25/11. One came back positive for coliform. The Department continued flushing in the area and took repeat upstream , downstream and alternate samples. All came back negative.
Although the Department resolved the problem for November, initial samples taken in December triggered a new violation for coliform bacteria. On 12/5/11 seven samples were taken and one came back positive for total coliform. On 12/7/11 a repeat sample with designated upstream and downstream locations were taken. All three showed the presence of coliform. The Department took the West Street tank off line and chlorinated it and began introducing chlorine into the system. On 12/14/11 the Department took a repeat sample with designated upstream and downstream. All three locations came back negative for total coliform.
We will continue adding chlorine for at least 30 days or until the problem has been resolved.
For more information, please contact Chris Wiseman at 508-428-2687 or at the Cotuit Water Department, located at 4300 Falmouth Road in Cotuit.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being posted by the Cotuit Water Department, PWS #4020003, December 19, 2011.