Critical Rye, New Hampshire, Water District Testing Begins Monday

Monday and Tuesday will be important days towards lifting the boil water order in Rye.

Testing was stopped in favor of a system-wide chlorination of the Rye Water District. The levels of chlorine have reached levels acceptable by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and testing of the water will resume Monday and Tuesday.

Two consecutive days of clean tests at all sites are required to lift the boil water order.

The boil water order was issued Wednesday, October 12, after higher than normal levels of e.Coli were present during routine tests at Breakfast Hill tank and two other locations, 1257 Washington Road and 235 Parsons Road. The source of the contamination has not been determined.

The district said there have been zero confirmed cases of e.Coli related illness in Rye. The town's Health Officer Dr. Gail Snow believes the risk of e.Coli illness is low. Until testing comes back clear, the order will remain in place, according to Snow.

The town is distributing free cases of water at the fire station daily between 3-7pm at the Rye Fire Station while the order is in place.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH