Wellesley residents are being told by public officials not to drink tap water unless they boil it first following a positive E. coli test at one of the Town’s reservoirs. [UPDATE 2:30pm Official Town Release on Water Warning]
One Swellesley reader was told that Dunkin’ Donuts on Linden Street and Quebrada in Wellesley Hills had stopped serving [ice?] coffee due to concerns about the tainted water and signs related to the water problem started popping up at businesses such as Boloco. Blue Ginger notified patrons that it was modifying its menu for the night and Alta Strada had a sign on its front door saying it was closed for the night. A local dentist also lamented not being able to do his job.
“Where is the reverse 911 call to let residents know?” the reader asked. Many Wellesley residents reacted angrily on social media about why it took so long for public officials to notify them of the water issue.
“A neighbor reports the CVS and Roche Bros. shelves are now depleted of water!” the reader added. (A Roche Bros. employee told us that water was flying off shelves as fast as it could be stocked. That could work out since that should leave more room for the booze Roche Bros. will soon be selling.)
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection says that the “Boil Water Order was issued as a result of Total Coliform and E.coli positive distribution samples.”
Wellesley College apparently has its own water supply:
RT @wellesley: Town of Wellesley boil water notice doesn't apply to #Wellesley College campus; we have own H20 supply. Off-campus, call…
— Wellesley Newsroom (@WellesleyNews) August 21, 2014
And Babson students have access to some clean water, too.
Warning signs posted in Wellesley after E.coli is found in the town’s water. Boil water in effect. #wellesley pic.twitter.com/R8Joajwp3c
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) August 21, 2014
Some are not psyched about the news:
Just found out I've been drinking contaminated water all day here in #Wellesley
— Sara Miller (@smiller32) August 21, 2014
Others are pretty sure we have nothing to worry about:
People in Wellesley drink water from the tap?
— Chris Curtis (@_ChrisCurtis) August 21, 2014
Why was there no reverse call?