Mattapoisett Boil Water Order Lifted, Marion and Fairhaven Continues

Mattapoisett residents can stop boiling their tap water — but those using Fairhaven and Marion water systems, including some Rochester residents, will have to keep boiling the water before use until tomorrow at the earliest.

That's according to an update officials posted over the weekend lifting the boil water order in Mattapoisett only.

The boil water order has been in effect for over a week, after E. coli bacteria was found in the four towns' water systems on Oct. 6.

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E. coli is a bacteria found in animal feces.

If ingested, it can cause illness including symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, and is particularly dangerous for the very young, the very old, or those with weakened immune systems.

Although water samples taken on Friday in all four affected communities were clear, the state requires three straight days of clear test results before the boil order can be lifted.

Officials have been testing daily and flushing the town water systems with chlorinated water to clear them out.

If the results from samples taken today are clear, residents of Fairhaven and Marion — and those in Rochester who use Marion water — will be able to stop boiling their tap water starting tomorrow evening.

The test results will be announced later tomorrow.