Water violated bacteria standard

MILFORD – Residents and businesses that get water from Milford were notified this week that the system had violated a bacteria standard in early November.

Under state standards, no corrective action was required, and sampling as of mid-November found no bacteria, town officials said.

According to the Milford Water Department, monthly sampling of nine sites throughout Milford found one sample in early November that violated standards for the presence of coliform bacteria. The presence of this bacteria can indicate problems, but none of the more serious fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria was found in the distribution system.

The discovery was made at an industry near the end of a dead-end water pipe, where stagnant water can collect, shortly after fire hydrants had been flushed.

“The presence of bacteria is most likely associated with the ‘stirring-up’ effect during the flushing,” said a Water Department press release.

The notification to individuals sent out this week followed an earlier announcement in the Milford Cabinet, as required under state law.