Rye Water District Boil Order Update 10/20/2022

RYE — Town Administrator Matthew Scruton and Superintendent Arik Jones announce that the Town and Rye Water District will distribute cases of bottled water to District residents in the coming days as the community is under a boil order.

WHEN:  Thursday, Oct. 20, through Monday, Oct. 24, 3-7 p.m.

WHERE:  Rye Fire Department, 555 Washington Road

WHAT:  The Town and Water District, in collaboration with the Rye Fire Department, will distribute cases of bottled water to District residents due to the current boil order.

The order was issued on Oct. 12, when higher-than-acceptable levels of E.coli bacteria were discovered during routine water test samples. During resampling, E.coli was detected at three locations: Breakfast Hill Tank at 271 Lafayette Road, 1257 Washington Road, and 235 Parsons Road.

Upon identifying the positive samples, officials immediately engaged the state Department of Environmental Services and issued a boil order. The source of the E.coli has not been detected.

The boil order remains in effect for all residents within the Rye Water District and will continue until further notice. All water used for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation should be boiled for at least two minutes before use. Use of bottled water is highly encouraged.

Rye Water District residents may pick up a free case of bottled water at the Fire Station from Thursday to Monday from 3-7 p.m. Residents are asked to pull up to the station bays. Residents are limited to one case of water per day. Proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, automobile registration, or utility bill, must be shown.

At the director of the Select Board, the Town's leadership team – Town Administrator Scruton, Assistant Town Administrator Becky Bergeron, Health Officer Dr. Gail Snow, Police Chief Kevin Walsh, Fire Chief Mark Cotreau, and Public Works Director Jason Rucker – and Superintendent Jones met today to receive updates and discuss strategy. Team members remain in constant communication and will meet daily until the order is lifted.

Residents will be notified when the boil order ends. District residents may register for email and/or text alerts by visiting ryewaterdistrict.com and clicking “Sign Up for Alerts."

About E.coli

E. coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group. There are many strains of E. coli. Most are harmless, but some strains can cause illness.

Symptoms of E. coli sickness can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. These symptoms may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. These symptoms, however, may also come from other diseases. Residents with these symptoms, are asked to contact their healthcare provider.

Ice, beverages, formula or uncooked foods that were prepared with District water before Oct. 12 should be discarded.

Pets should be given bottled water or boiled water that has cooled. Water from any appliance connected to your water line, such as ice and water from a refrigerator, should not be used for pets while under a boil order. Fish or other aquatic pets should not be exposed to water containing elevated bacteria levels, and appropriately boiled or bottled water should be used instead.

About the Rye Water District

The Rye Water District is a private non-profit municipality, and one of three Districts serving the Town of Rye. The Rye Water District provides public water service to the majority of Rye residents.

Answers to frequently asked questions about boil orders, including food preparation, bathing, and laundry, can be found:

https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/dwgb-4-12.pdf

You can sign up for alerts at ryewaterdistrict.com. There is a red button on the right side of the page that reads “Sign Up for Alerts”. You will receive an email and/or text message when an update is posted on the District’s website.  ryewaterdistrict.com