Reading lifts water boil ban, advises to flush your pipes

READING, Mass. — Reading officials lifted the boil water ban Monday morning, saying the water is safe to drink and use.

Based on sample results, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said the drinking water no longer poses a threat after finding E.coli in a sample on Oct. 31. The town anticipates more information will be released later Monday.

Now that you no longer need to boil your water, you're still advised to flush your water to clear pipes of any potential contaminated water.

Steps to take:

• Cold water faucets: Run tap water until the water feels cold for one minute or longer before drinking, brushing teeth, or using for food prep. If you have a single-lever faucet, run the cold water first.
• Hot water faucets: Flush the hot water line for at least 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot-water tank and 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot-water tank or larger. Hot water is then safe for washing hands and dishes.
• Don't ever use hot water from the faucet for drinking, cooking or other consumption purposes.
• Dishwashers: After flushing hop water pipes and water heater, run the dishwasher empty once.
• Humidifiers: Dump out any water used, CPAP, oral, medical, or health care devices and rinse them with clean water
• Food and baby formula: Throw away any formula and other foods prepared with water from Oct. 31 or since the water boil order was in effect.
• Refrigerator water-dispensing machine: Flush with at least one quart of water.
• Ice cubes: Automatic dispensers should be emptied and run through a 24-hour cycle

Reading residents may experience low water pressure and/or discolored water because of people flushing their water lines. This is an expected result and doesn't pose an immediate health risk

Cox Media Group