PUBLIC NOTICE – ADVISORY

DRINKING WATER NOTICE

To all customers of the Cotuit Water Department

Located in Cotuit, Massachusetts

This is an important notice – please translate it for anyone who does not understand English.

 

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply. On August 6, 2014 our water system was notified that a raw water sample collected on August 4, 2014 from Station #1 tested positive for E.coli, which is a fecal indicator. Fecal indicators are used to detect ground water sources that may be susceptible to fecal contamination which may contain harmful viruses or bacteria.

 

The water delivered to your taps through the distribution system is disinfected with chlorine to kill viruses and bacteria, including E.coli. It is important to note that samples collected on August 4, 2014 in the distribution system did NOT detect any fecal contaminants.

 

This source is one of five active pumping stations that supplies drinking water to the Water District. In accordance with the federal Ground Water Rule (GWR) requirements, we are notifying you of the situation and conducting additional sampling to evaluate the extent of potential fecal contamination and will take further actions as necessary.

 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?     WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

 

This is not an emergency, you do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions at this time.

 

  • The USEPA requires us to provide you with this notice and the following information on fecal indicators: “Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.” These symptoms can also be caused by issues unrelated to drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, or, if you have specific health concerns, you may want to discuss such concerns with your doctor. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online at http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/pathogens.cfm.

 

  • 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.

 

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

 

Pumping station #1 was immediately taken off line and is being re-sampled. As a precaution, we are increasing the level of chlorination throughout our system to ensure the safety of our water supply. The original sample was a raw sample taken prior to any treatment currently being used by the Cotuit Water District. Because the indicator was in an untreated sample you do not need to boil your water. We are undergoing repeat testing and evaluation to confirm that the level of treatment is adequate or if additional corrective actions are necessary to reduce the risk of potential fecal contamination in our drinking water supply. Some consumers may notice a slight discoloration or odor/taste in the water, as the disinfection level of chlorine has been temporarily increased until the investigation is complete.

 

We continue to monitor for the presence of fecal contaminants in the entire source and distribution system to ensure the safety of the water supply.

 

We are working closely with MassDEP during this process. They will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the steps taken and determine if any further action is required. If necessary, you will be notified again if you need to take any corrective actions. This notice does not affect persons using private drinking water wells.

 

 

For more information and further updates, please visit our website at www.cotuitfiredistrict.org or contact Christopher Wiseman, Superintendent at 508-428-2687.