Bourne Water District boil water order in place until at least Aug. 15 - Cape Cod Times

Bourne Water District boil water order in place until at least Aug. 15

Boil water order continues in Bourne until at least Tuesday afternoon, officials say
Graham Krewinghaus

A boil water order for residents in the Bourne Water District will remain in place at least until Tuesday afternoon.

A second test of drinking water in the district, which lies on the south side of the Cape Cod Canal, led water district officials to announce on Monday that the boil order would continue. They acknowledged the frustration some residents have experienced due to the order, which has been in effect since Friday.

The order applies only to residents on the south side of the Cape Cod Canal all the way to the border with Falmouth. The Sagamore Water District and Buzzards Bay Water District on the north side of the canal are not affected.

Why was the boil order issued for the Bourne Water District?

The order comes after a test revealed the presence of E. coli in the water supply, according to a statement from Town Administrator Marlene McCollem on Friday.

Immediately after identifying the positive samples, water district officials contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection, and a boil water order was issued.

Residents are instructed to boil the water for at least one minute prior to use for a range of activities including cooking, drinking, washing dishes and food preparation. Any ice, beverages, formula or uncooked foods that were prepared with water from the public water system on or after Aug. 10 should be thrown out.

Residents are instructed to take the same precautions for pets; they should be given bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Water from any appliance connected to the water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator, should not be used for pets while under a boil water order.

A Bourne Water District release on Friday projected that the issue would be resolved within 48 to 72 hours, but on Monday, the district issued another release saying the order would have to remain for the time being,

“We understand that this is frustrating, however, we are following all required protocols and working as quickly as possible to restore safe drinking water to all of our residents,” a statement released by the district said.

Bourne Water District tested water Monday morning

District officials tested the water again on Monday morning after a Saturday test revealed contamination, the district said. That leaves them with a Tuesday afternoon timeline to get back those results and determine if the water is now safe to drink.

State Rep. Steve Xiarhos, R-Barnstable, took to Facebook on Monday to comment.

“Many Bourne residents have reached out regarding the water quality issue on the south side of the town of Bourne,” he wrote. “I am working with the Bourne Water District, Bourne Officials, and others to resolve the water issue ASAP.”

Here's who to call if you have questions

Bourne Water District residents with questions can contact Robert Prophett by calling 508-563-2294 or 508-209-4863.

Additional information regarding drinking water boil orders and other public health orders can be found on the state Department of Environmental Protection website.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.