Uxbridge Businesses, Public Centers Closed After E. Coli Found In Water

UXBRIDGE (CBS) -- Many town buildings, businesses were closed and schools canceled Monday after the town's water tested positive for E.coli.

The town issued a boil alert for water over the weekend after a sample of Uxbridge Department of Public Works water tested positive for E. coli.

"E. coli will have a detrimental effect on your gastrointestinal system, so certainly nobody wants to be put at risk, " said town manager David Genereux.

Preliminary water tests on Monday came back negative for E. coli, but officials say the boil water alert will remain in effect until at least Wednesday.

In the meantime, bottled water has been flying off store shelves as residents are advised against using tap water.

Free hot lunches were canceled at a local senior center.

"So many of the frailer older seniors who are alone and isolated and shut in, who have retired their license do come to the senior center for that main meal each day," said director Marsha Petrillo.

The center is reaching out to area seniors to make sure they understand the protocols and get any help they need.

"We're going to do telephone reassurance, we're going to do house calls, a volunteer brought some water in for us," she said.

Officials don't know the cause of the contamination but they believe construction on some of the water mains played a part. They are flushing the system and chlorinating the water.

"Right now my concern is, when does it end?" said Genereux. "We'll know that once we start getting our test results back."