Total Coliform No Longer Present, Latest Test Results Show

By Kim Siebert MacPhail

Passers-by who noticed that the Pine Hill water tank was being flushed again over the weekend may have assumed that the latest test results for total coliform bacteria were positive. But, instead, Friday’s tests verified that total coliform is no longer present in the system, according to the Public Works Department.

As stated on the Public Works website, total coliform itself is not harmful; however, it does indicate that conditions could be favorable for other kinds of more harmful bacteria to develop.

In response to several positive tests for total coliform earlier this summer, the DPW conducted around-the-clock flushing of the system and worked with experts from the Metropolitan Water Resource Authority in an effort to eradicate the bacteria. This season’s prolonged extreme heat is suspected to be a contributing factor.

DPW Director Rich Warringtonis cautiously optimistic about the test results, saying that sampling on Friday came back clean, but “we cannot let our guard down.”

“I have requested the MWRA mobile disinfection unit to be redeployed on Railroad Avenue to ensure we have adequate [chlorine] residuals in the area prior to the opening of school. The MWRA is setting up this afternoon [Monday].” Warrington added, “We are carefully bringing different components of the water distribution system back on line to restore our service capabilities.”

If all goes as planned, the now-drained Pine Hill water storage tankwill be disinfected once again,filled with water, re-tested and put back online by the end of this week. The Crosby Drive water storage tank has already been through this process and is back in service.

On a related note, managers from Stop and Shop and Whole Foods markets, the two major grocery retailers in Bedford, report that water sales have not spiked during the total coliform event, leading to speculation that residents were sufficiently reassured through public notices, reverse 911 calls to each residence and media coverage about the water’s safety.

To read The Citizen’s article that reports what measures were taken to eliminate the total coliform bacteria, go tohttps://thebedfordcitizen.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/water-woes-continue-to-baffle/.