09/09/2025
Please be advised Northeast Water Solutions had been taking the sanitary measures, as prescribed by the Department of Health. All specific questions should be addressed to Danielle Agajanian, Northeast Water Solutions, at 401-667-7463 extension 101.
PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL CONSUMERS OF
Town of Richmond Public Water System
94 Wood River Drive, Richmond, RI 02898
PRECAUTIONARY DRINKING WATER WARNING
Sanitary Defect present in the Town of Richmond Public Water System
The Town of Richmond public water system consumers are advised as a precaution not to drink the water, without boiling it first, due to a sanitary defect related to one of our storage tanks. The sanitary defect was found during an assessment performed on 8/26/2025. The gasket on one of the storage tanks is not providing an adequate sanitary seal, creating a pathway for bacterial contamination.
During recent routine monitoring, our water system tested positive for total coliforms. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, waterborne pathogens may be present or that a potential pathway exists through which contamination may enter the drinking water distribution system. We found coliforms indicating the need to look for potential problems in water treatment or distribution. When this occurs, we are required to conduct assessments to identify problems and to correct any problems that are found. The above sanitary defect was found during the assessment.
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
OR SEEK ALTERNATIVE WATER SUPPLIES
What should I do? What does this mean?
• YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED NOT TO DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• BOTTLED OR BOILED WATER SHOULD BE USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION INCLUDING DRINKING AND CULINARY PURPOSES. YOU MAY SHOWER IN THE WATER AND WASH HANDS, BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THIS WATER BE CONSUMED WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Please supervise young children while they are using water. Alternate sources of water should come from a licensed public water system, licensed bottled water and/or licensed ice supplier.
o *F***l coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems*
• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
What is being done?
This health advisory will remain in effect until the sanitary defect is addressed and corrective actions are completed, the system is disinfected, and total coliform-negative samples are collected. The water storage tanks repair is being performed on September 9th, following by a complete re-inspection and re-sanitization of the tank. Water samples will subsequently be taken for to validate water quality. The Town and our certified public water system operators are coordinating closely with RI Department of Health. You will receive written notice when this health advisory requirement is lifted. We anticipate resolving this problem by September 15, 2025
For more information, please contact Danielle Agajanian, Northeast Water Solutions, at 401-667-7463 extension 101
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.
This notice is being sent to you by Town of Richmond, ID #: RI1000040. DATED: 9/9/2025
