Tap Water in Massachusetts Town Contaminated with E. Coli
Residents of Milford, Massachusetts have been told to boil all tap water because the town’s water supply recently tested positive for E. coli and other bacteria that can cause severe medical complications in people who consume tainted water.
Routine testing of the water supply conducted in the last week turned up the positive tests, town and water company officials said. In addition to boiling all tap water before drinking it, Milford residents are being advised to throw away any food, drinks, baby formula, or other products made with tap water since August 5, 2009.
Delay in Notifying Public Criticized
A communication breakdown between Milford town hall and the laboratory hired to test the city’s water supply prevented officials from announcing the boil-water order until today, officials said. As a result of the delay, thousands of people in Milford may have unknowingly consumed contaminated water. Milford, located about 40 miles southwest of Boston, has a population of about 25,000 people.
Selectman Bill Buckley was quoted by The Milford Daily News that the delay in notifying the public about the possible contamination is “unacceptable.”
Testing conducted on Sunday found no presence of E. coli in the water, officials said. However, tap water that is used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, doing dishes, and preparing food still must be brought to a full boil for at least one minute to reduce the risks of bacterial infections, officials said.
The boil-water order remains in effect until further notice, said Milford Water Co., the private company that supplies water to the town.
E. Coli Food Poisoning Product Recalls
E. coli is a common form of bacteria that can cause severe, even fatal food poisoning symptoms in consumers who eat food or drink water carrying the bug. Recently, the presence of E. coli has forced recalls of Nestle Toll House prepared cookie dough and ground beef blamed for sickening consumers across the United States.
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