Bristol Water Department officials are assuring residents that their drinking water is safe after a sample of raw, untreated water from one of their wells tested positive for E. coli bacteria.
The Bristol Water Department regularly tests both raw water and treated drinking water for quality. Officials said raw water collected from a Mix Street wellfield on Oct. 9 tested positive for Coliform and E. Coli bacteria. There are five wells located on Barlow, Mix and Mechanic streets that supply water to the city on top of the surface water system. All water from the wells is treated and disinfected with chlorine before entering the distribution system for use.
When the results came in officials collected additional samples of treated water, from the distribution system and found no bacteria.
The well that tested positive for E. Coli was taken out of service so officials can determine the cause of the contamination.
“The Water Department has taken Well #3 out of service and it will remain out of service until we determine and correct the cause of the bacteria, wrote Board of Water Commissioners Chairwomen Elizabeth Phelan in a statement. “We have reviewed this situation with the Health Director of the Bristol/Burlington Health District and the Department of Public Health Water Supply Section and they are in agreement with our action plan.”
Officials stressed that bacteria was only found in the raw, untreated water, meaning the drinking water is safe and residents do not need to take precautions.
