E Coli Test Results Positive For Prudence Island In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, RI — The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced Thursday that Monday's E Coli test results for the Prudence Island Water District following the initial discovery tested positive for the bacteria.

The boil water advisory originally put in place Sunday will continue indefinitely.

According to RIDOH Public Information Officer Joseph Wendelken, the next step is for the water district to disinfect, flush, and take any other necessary actions on the water supply. After treatment, the system will be required to have three consecutive days of negative test results before the boil water advisory can be lifted.

As many as 700 residents could be affected by the advisory, according to a press release from RIDOH. Residents with private wells and those part of the Prudence Park Water Co-op are not affected. A list of affected streets can be found here.

Anyone affected by the advisory should boil all water for at least one minute before drinking or brushing teeth. Infants and young children should not be bathed in the water because they might swallow it.

People should call their healthcare provider if they came in contact with contaminated water and experience diarrhea and any of the following symptoms:

• Fever over 101.5° F, measured orally
• Blood in the stool
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents keeping liquids down (which can lead to dehydration)
• Diarrheal illness that lasts more than 3 days

Customers with questions should contact the water district at 401-285-6192 or info@pih2o.org.

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