Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in Water Supplied by:
PWS#1592020
Pascoag Utility District, Water Division
253 Pascoag Main St., Po Box 107
Pascoag, RI 02859
The Pascoag Utility District water system recently exceeded the Microbiological Maximum Contaminant Level 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 are doing to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. Five (5) samples for coliform bacteria were collected on July 10, 2013, and four (4) additional samples were collected on July 11, 2013. A total of two (2) samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one (1) sample per month may do so.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil the 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 1 (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 klonopin 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. 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. We are no longer finding coliforms in the drinking water.
What happened?
During its normal monthly sampling, PUD learned of one sample location of five that indicated presence of coliforms. When retested, that site showed no coliforms, but a second site indicated presence of coliforms. Upon retesting the second site, it showed no coliforms.
What is being done?
Chlorine residuals at all sites appeared adequate to control bacteria, but PUD boosted chlorine levels as a precaution after the first positive sample came back. We suspect that our sampling equipment and/or handling procedure may have lead to cross-contamination of the samples, and so we have been reviewing and reinforcing how important it is to use completely sanitary procedures when taking samples, so that the handling of the samples does not transfer environmental coliforms to the samples. PUD also has performed hydrant flushing in the area in question.
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We are no longer detecting coliform bacteria.
For more information, please contact Michael Kirkwood at 401- 568-6222 or 253 Pascoag Main Street Pascoag RI 02859.
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 sent to you by Pascoag Utility District, Water Division PWS ID#: RI1592020 Date posted: July 16, 2013