E coli are found in the waste from most, if not all, animals. The heavy rain last week might have washed bird and animal droppings into and through the soil too fast to be adequately treated before entering the aquifer.

- Paul Saulnier | 8/13/18 8:11 AM

Does E.coli bacteria come only from septic systems or are there other sources or reasons for this kind of contamination?

- John Losch | 8/13/18 7:25 AM

To hopefully help clear up some confusion, Well #4 is located on Washington Street out by the Milford line. The water department samples for bacteria every other week throughout Town. Water is sampled and tested at numerous locations including wells, treatment plants, homes and businesses. Sampling is conducted directly from the ground where it is then pumped to the treatment plants. This is (RAW water). Sampling is also conducted after the water goes through the treatment process. This is (FINISHED water). The finished water is treated and pumped out through the distribution system, this is the water you use. The e-coli positive result was found ONLY in the water being pumped directly from the ground (RAW water). All distribution water/ finished water samples were absent any harmful bacteria. The samples taken at the water treatment plant for Well #4 post treatment were absent any harmful bacteria. All that being said, because of the type of treatment process we have, the Holliston Water Department is required by law to notify the public of any any e-coli positive test result. We do not write the notice nor can we deviate from it's language.

Upon notification from the lab of the sample results we simply turn the raw water supply (well #4) off, directly chlorinate the well, run it to waste and re-sample it. The well is not put back into use until the samples are clean/absent any harmful bacteria. Even though this RAW water is treated it is still required to be sampled.

- Sean M. Reese, Holliston Director of Public Works | 8/10/18 9:18 AM

Weston Pond

- Paul Saulnier | 8/10/18 5:40 AM

What is the location of Well #4

- Jack Donovan | 8/9/18 6:30 PM