A routine raw water sample taken from Well #4 on Monday August 2, 2010 has tested positive for E-Coli, according to the Wareham Water District.

"This is not an emergency, you DO NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions," said the district in a press release.

The Wareham Fire District Water Department, (WFDWD) routinely monitors for the presence of drinking water contaminants to ensure the safety of the water supply.

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, at 2 p.m. the district was notified that a fecal indicator (E. coli) was detected in a raw water (untreated) sample collected on Monday, August 1, 2010 from Maple Springs Well #4.

The well was immediately removed from service.

During normal operations, water from Well #4 is pumped from the ground and it is disinfected with chlorine to kill fecal indicators, including E. coli. The chlorinated water is delivered to residents. Two other wells and five distribution system samples were also collected on Monday, August 1, 2010. Neither of the other two wells or any of the distribution system samples tested positive for coliform or E-coli. Only the untreated sample from Well #4 tested positive.

E. coli is a fecal indicator and it was detected in the raw water at Well #4 before treatment. Even though the well with the fecal indicator is treated and the treated water did not contain any fecal indicators, the well is no longer in use at this time. The USEPA requires the district to provide 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."

The microbes that can produce these symptoms were not detected in the water after it was treated. Therefore these health risks are not present, the district said.

Nevertheless, the district said it will continue to evaluate the situation and take the following actions:

• Investigate the source of the raw water contamination and remove it.
• Well #4 was removed from service and will not return until approved by the MassDEP.
• We will commence or continue chlorinating all wells until further notice.
• We will take repeat samples at Well #4 and as otherwise directed by MADEP.
• We will provide public notice via the media, www.wareham.ma.us, and Reverse 911.