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Hydroseeding Mishap Causes Somerset Water Emergency

SOMERSET (CBS/AP) – Hydrograss Technologies could face criminal charges for a water emergency in Somerset.

Residents have been told not to drink tap water for at least a couple of days because a lawn-care company may have inadvertently tainted the town's water supply with hydroseeding material.

Selectman William Meehan said the company, contracted by the state, was hydroseeding an area near the new Veterans Memorial Bridge when they tapped into a fire hydrant without permission, and some of the mixture of mulch and seed may have been sent into the town water supply.

Hydrograss Technologies says the bridge contractor, Middlesex Coporation, gave them the OK to use the street hydrant.  Middlesex says it would not comment until it has gathreed all the facts.

Residents have been told not use water to drink, make ice, wash food, or brush teeth with town water. Water can be used for showering and other purposes.

WBZ-TV's Sera Congi reports

The town is flushing the system and the state will conduct tests to make sure the water is safe.

The town is handing out cases of bottled water at the Emergency Management Office.

Somerset Police and the town water department are investigating.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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