First Posted: 8/19/2013

MAXTON — The water in Maxton is safe to drink.

A notice that Maxton residents should boil their water has been rescinded after tests show the water does not contain E. coli or any other coliforms.

Town Manager Angela Pitchford said Environment 1, a Greenville-based laboratory, tested Maxton’s water on Aug. 13 and E. coli was found. Additional tests confirmed problems with the water, and the notice to boil water was issued on Friday.

Water lines were flushed as a corrective action , more samples were taken and additional tests performed Friday night. Those tests were clean and the notice to boil water was rescinded on Saturday.

“The water is fine,” Pitchford said.

Ronnie Seals, the interim operator of water operations for Maxton, said it is unknown what caused the water to test positive for E. coli.

“It could have been bad bacteria on the bottle or what have you,” he said. “The water is safe to drink. There is no health issue.”

E. coli is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of humans and animals and protects against harmful bacteria. Most strains of E. coli are harmless to humans, but some can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, kidney damage and other health issues. The bacteria is contracted primarily through contaminated water or food. Undercooked beef and raw vegetables are two sources of E. coli.