The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Project (DEP) monitors drinking water throughout the state through regular testing. Sometimes water testing finds E. coli/ fecal coliform bacteria in the drinking water supply. E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria indicate that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Drinking water with these wastes can cause short-term illness, such as 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. If this happens, the Town issues a boil water advisory. A boil water advisory lets people know that they should boil their water for at least one minute, or use bottled water, for drinking, cooking, food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth, bathing children, and washing dishes. In addition, infants and young children should not be bathed in this water because they may accidentally swallow it.