Boil Water Advisory in Effect for Tiverton After Water Main Break
Authorities have issued a boil water advisory impacting multiple neighborhoods in Tiverton following a water main break on Bulgarmarsh Road that may have released harmful bacteria into the local water supply.
The Rhode Island Department of Health and the Stone Bridge Fire District Water Department announced the advisory Friday evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. Residents living from Quintal Drive to Bulgarmarsh Road and all nearby side streets, as well as the Bulgarmarsh Road and Main Road intersection to Carey Lane and its side streets, are affected.
Officials warn that the break could have introduced fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria into the water system, posing potential health risks. While the water main has been repaired and disinfectant levels increased, residents must boil all tap water for at least one minute before use or rely on bottled water until tests confirm the water is safe. Testing results are expected within three days, and the advisory will be lifted only when samples come back free of contamination.
Immediate Safety Measures for Residents
The advisory underscores that boiled or bottled water must be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, and washing dishes. Cold or hot showers and handwashing are permitted, but no tap water should be consumed without boiling first.
Residents are urged to supervise children when using water to prevent accidental ingestion and to share this critical information with neighbors, especially those who may not have received official notifications. The town utilized its CODE RED Community notification system to alert affected residents. To register for future alerts, residents can visit this link.
Health Risks and Symptoms to Watch For
Exposure to bacteria like E. coli and fecal coliform can cause gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and headaches. Infants, young children, elderly residents, and those with compromised immune systems face higher risks and should seek medical advice if symptoms persist.
Carl Destremps, a local water official, urged, “If you experience symptoms or have health concerns, please consult your healthcare provider immediately.”
Next Steps and Contact Information
Water samples have been collected and are currently undergoing laboratory testing. Officials expect to resolve the situation within three days but will notify residents in writing once the boil water advisory can be lifted.
For questions or more information, residents should contact Carl Destremps at 401-625-1502.
This advisory highlights ongoing challenges communities face nationwide with aging water infrastructure and the critical need for vigilance when contamination risks arise. Delaware residents and others across the US should take note of such incidents, as boil water advisories remain a key public health tool to prevent bacterial infections following water main ruptures.
