E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply of five public water systems serving parts of Narragansett and South Kingstown, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced Friday.
A boil water advisory is in place, with health officials noting that the following water systems have been effected:
“Approximately 38,000 residents are impacted by this boil water advisory,” according to a press release. “The E. coli finding was made during routine sampling by Suez Water, which sells water to the other systems. There have been no illnesses associated with these systems.”
The health department advised residents to boil water for at least one minute.
“Alternatively, customers can use bottled water,” the release noted. “These recommendations pertain to water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Infants and young children should not be bathed in this water because they may swallow it accidentally. Anyone else using this water for bathing or showering should be careful to avoid swallowing the water.”
The boil water notice will be in effect until further notice.
If ingested, symptoms are often diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches. More serious symptoms include a fever over 101.5 F, blood in the stool, prolonged vomiting that leads to dehydration, a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.
Narraganset has a 24/7 hotline that is answered at the police station for people with water questions or if they're in an emergency situation and in need of water. The number is 401-789-1091.
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