EAST LYME TAKES WELL OFFLINE; TOWN OFFICIALS SAY WATER IS SAFE

East Lyme — The town said it immediately took a well offline after E. Coli was detected late Tuesday in water prior to being treated and entering the distribution system.

“The raw water that tested positive was prior to chlorine disinfection, filtration and treatment, and before it enters into the distribution system,” a town notice issued on Wednesday states. “The water supply source that had tested positive for E. Coli was immediately taken out of service. Recent samples taken in the distribution system or at the other ground water sources did not reveal any total coliform or E. Coli detections. Therefore, the water is safe to drink and nothing additional needs to [be] done by our customers at this time.”

Public Works Director Joe Bragaw said by phone Wednesday that the town has been in “constant contact” with the state Department of Public Health, and the state agency concurs with the town’s determination and course of action.

Bragaw said the issue was picked up during a routine sample. He said the Water Department is taking additional samples throughout the water system and is continuing to maintain disinfection levels. The department also is investigating the source of the issue, which was unknown, he said.

School Superintendent Jeffrey Newton issued a letter Wednesday morning to parents and guardians that the well taken offline provides water to Lillie B. Haynes Elementary and the middle school and that the school district “was taking precautionary measures at all of the schools.”

Those measures included boiling water in the kitchen prior to use, closing all drinking fountains and providing an alternative source of drinking water to each of the schools.

Newton sent a follow-up letter Wednesday that the town has since informed the district that the water is safe, and the schools have been notified that normal water use could resume.

Residents with questions can call the town’s Water Department at (860) 691-4104.