Town of Smithfield advises residents to boil drinking water

The town of Smithfield has issued a boil-water advisory for all its customers after bacteria was detected in water samples, town officials said.

The advisory is in effect until tests can confirm the absence of the bacteria, Public Utilities Director Earl Botkin said.

The first tests should be back by late this afternoon, Botkin said.

Coliform bacteria was detected Tuesday in samples collected from the water system, Botkin said. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are generally not harmful, he said. However, coliforms are an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present, Botkin said.

As a precaution, the town is advising residents to boil all water used for human consumption,including drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice and washing hands.

Vigorous boiling for one minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.