CARIBOU, Maine — More than 1,000 residents and businesses in Caribou are under a boil order for their drinking water after the Caribou Utilities Districts’ boilers tested positive for E. Coli Thursday.
The State of Maine Drinking Water Program posted the test results late Thursday morning.
That means some businesses that rely on water, such as restaurants, will have to close until the order is lifted, according to Caribou Utilities District General Manager Hugh Kirkpatrick.
His staff was posting the boil water order on doors of businesses and residences around town Thursday afternoon.
Residents should boil water for at least a minute before using it for drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, brushing teeth or any other activity that requires consumption, according to an order issued Thursday by the Caribou Utilities District.
Kirkpatrick said that he expects results from follow-up tests to be released Friday.
The district has 1,600 residential and business customers, Kirkpatrick said.