Old Lyme bottles up to avoid coliform

Old Lyme (WTNH) - School students and some town workers are being forced to drink bottled water in Old Lyme after coliform bacteria was found in the water at schools and town buildings.

Water bubblers are replacing water fountains at Old Lyme schools .

"They installed these water dispensers," said 6th grader Zachary Welch.

Students like Welch say they can just go to the dispensers and easily fill their cup with water.

This is just one of the precautions being taken after total coliform was detected in the wells which supply water to the middle school, high school, the Lyme consolidated school and the Center School; it doesn't mean there's EColi in the water but rather indicates a small possibility of bacteria.

"This whole thing came about as a result of a routine test," said Center School Principal Chris Pomroy.

The school's aren't taking any chances.

The water fountains are completely turned off and bottled water is available.

"As a precautionary measure we decided to go with the water bubblers just so we could be absolutely safe for the kids," said Pomroy.

The schools aren't the only ones affected. The Old Lyme Fire Station , the Grange Hall and Town Hall have all been impacted; there are signs strung about telling folks not to drink the tap water.

That water has been chlorinated and the system has been flushed by the Connecticut Water Company which monitors the wells. Until the latest test results are back, tap water is off limits for staff and students.

"We are monitoring our attendance daily. We've seen no changes or fluctuations that I would consider significant as a result of this or any other variable or factors," Pomroy said.