The town of Norwell on Wednesday issued an urgent boil water order to all residents and businesses after E. coli was detected in the town water supply during routine water testing, according to a notice posted on the town’s website.
Norwell officials said they were notified Wednesday that a sample collected Tuesday tested positive for E. coli bacteria.
The town is investigating the cause of the contamination and anticipates resolving the issue within a couple days, officials said in a statement.
“This is a precautionary but urgent measure being taken to protect the health and safety of our residents,” Town Administrator Chad Lovett said in the statement.
E. coli is a bacteria that affects the gut and may induce diarrhea, cramps, vomiting and headaches in those who ingest contaminated water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems may be at a greater health risk.
Residents are being instructed to boil water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes and brushing teeth until further notice, officials said.
Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least one minute, and then cooled before use. All ice, beverages, uncooked foods and formula prepared with tap water collected on or after Tuesday should be thrown away, the statement said.
Until the cause of the contamination is determined, Norwell’s water department will be flushing water mains and increasing water chlorination, according to the statement. Residents and businesses will be informed when tests show no signs of E. coli and it is no longer necessary to boil water, town officials said.
Officials are reviewing options for bottled water distribution and said they will provide additional information as it becomes available.
More information on reducing the risk of contamination can be found on the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Boil Order Fact Sheet.
Madyline Swearing can be reached at madyline.swearing@globe.com.