By Max Bowen
max.bowen@northstarteporter.com
Following the discovery of enterococci in samples of the town’s water, residents are under a boil water advisory until further notice.
According to an announcement issued Monday evening, routine water samples collected from the raw part of the water system and treatment facility tested positive for enterococci — bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans — and indicate possible contamination of streams and rivers by fecal waste.
All of the water samples from the four raw wells in the town tested positive for the bacteria, according to the announcement.
Enterococci are typically not considered harmful to humans — however, its presence in the environment may indicate that other disease-causing agents, such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa, may also be present.
The town’s Department of Public Works was notified of the discovery on Aug. 12, and contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection, which determined that the boil water advisory was necessary.
Under the boil water advisory, all water used for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation should be boiled for at least one minute prior to use, or bottled water should be used as an alternative. The same precautions apply to pets. Community members can also get safe drinking and cooking water from the Department of Public Work’s water kiosk at 49 Whiting St.
The town collected additional water samples on Monday and sent them to another lab for testing.
Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the North Attleborough Department of Public Works at 508-695-7790. For more information about boil water advisory and the DEP notice, visit the Town of North Attleborough’s Boil Water FAQ page at
