Boil Water Order in Lebanon Due to Bacterial Contamination (Updated 6:30 p.m.)

Lebanon — Residents are being told to boil water following the detection of E. coli bacteria contamination in the city’s water distribution system, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.



City officials are meeting on the matter.



UPDATE AT 3:05 P.M.: The city issued an alert about the boil water order shortly before 3 p.m.



In an accompanying news release, officials said that "at noon today, the City of Lebanon received notification from our water testing laboratory that samples of water collected for standard monthly testing at various locations throughout the city tested positive for Coliform and E. coli bacteria."



In addition to boiling their drinking water, residents are being advised to wash their hands with soap and bottled or boiled water, or to use hand sanitizer. The order affects "the entire city of Lebanon and West Lebanon," according to the release.



UPDATE AT 6:30 P.M.: During a news conference this afternoon, city officials said the boil water order will last at least 48 hours — through Saturday afternoon — and as long as a week, depending on the results of follow-up testing that began today.



City staff are on hand to answer questions at 603-448-0913 or 603-448-0915 tonight until about 8 p.m. and starting tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.



The city is also promoting a FAQ fact sheet about boil water orders put together by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, available at this link.



Find a full report in Friday’s ‘Valley News.’



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Posted online Thursday at 2:40 p.m. Updated at 3:05 and 6:30 p.m. Follow the Valley News on Twitter @VNewsUV.





