Media Release

For Immediate Release
Date: March 28, 2006
Contact : Maria Wah-Fitta

Security Breach in Blackstone Water System, MA
Potential Contamination in System That Serves 83 RI Households

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) was notified earlier today that the Blackstone Water Department in Blackstone, MA suffered a security breach at 5:53 pm last night. An unauthorized person or persons gained access to, and damaged a water tank. An empty 5-gallon bucket was found on top of the water tank. The water is currently being tested for multiple possible contaminants.

This water system serves 83 households in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Customers in this service area are being notified that they should avoid contact with tap water. Water system users will be informed of any further required action.

These are the instructions that users of the Blackstone Water System have received:

THIS NOTICE IS TO ADVISE THE CUSTOMERS OF BLACKSTONE WATER DEPARTMENT BLACKSTONE, MASSACHUSETTS TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS ON MARCH 28, 2006 AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

1) DO NOT USE THE WATER FOR DRINKING, BATHING, FOOD PREPARATION, OR WASHING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. FLUSHING OF TOILETS IS PERMISSIBLE.

2) ICE CUBES MADE ON MARCH 27, 2006 SHOULD BE DISCARDED. AUTOMATIC ICE DISPENSERS SHOULD BE EMPTIED AND RUN THROUGH SEVERAL CYCLES PRIOR TO USE TO ASSURE PURGING OF THE ICEMAKER WATER SUPPLY LINE. ANY JUICES OR BABY FORMULAS PREPARED WITH TAP WATER DURING THE HOURS OF 6:00 PM ON MARCH 27, TO 11:00 PM ON MARCH 28, SHOULD ALSO BE DISCARDED.

3) DUE TO THE FLUSHING OF THE HYDRANTS BY BLACKSTONE THE WATER MAY APPEAR DISCOLORED, HOWEVER, THIS IS AN EXPECTED RESULT OF SUCH FLUSHING AND DOES NOT POSE AN IMMEDIATE HEALTH RISK.

4) AFTER THE TOWN HAS FLUSHED THE WATER MAINS, YOU SHOULD FLUSH ALL TAPS (HOT AND COLD) IN THE PREMISES FOR A MINIMUM OF TEN (10) MINUTES PRIOR TO USE. TAKE CARE DURING SUCH FLUSHING NOT TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE WATER.

5) WE REQUEST YOU TAKE THE ABOVE MENTIONED ACTIONS AS A PRECAUTION.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

The service area includes households in the following streets in North Smithfield:

Chapel Street
Colerick Street
Duncan Street
Elizabeth Avenue
Fountain Street
Groves Avenue
Mendon Road
Middle Street
Saint Paul Street
Stanley Street
West Street

HEALTH’s Office of Drinking Water Quality is working in close collaboration with the State of Massachusetts and the Town of North Smithfield, and has notified all Rhode Island Water Systems to be on alert for, and report any suspicious activity.

There have been no reports of disease at this time.

Any individual who has been in contact with, or consumed water from this system, and is experiencing any unusual symptoms is urged to contact their physician, go to the Emergency Room, or call the Rhode Island Department of Health at 401-222-8022.