By SANDY McGEE

BELLINGHAM — Town residents are being reminded that their drinking water is safe to consume despite the water's swimming pool-like smell.

Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Donald DiMartino recently published a notice on the town's Web site, entitled “Do you smell chlorine in your tap water?,” which discusses the DPW's recent progress after adding chlorine into the town's water supply.
“If you are noticing the smell of chlorine in Bellingham drinking water, that is a good thing,” said DiMartino in the notice. “It means safe drinking water.  We (the DPW) have been adding chlorine at most of our active water supply sources continuously since Nov. 3.”
The addition of chlorine into the town's water system began in November after five water samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The samples have been reported to the state's Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
“We had a couple of indications of bacteria in water,” DiMartino said. “It's coliform bacteria. It's not harmful, but it is part of the drinking water regulations. We took a proactive approach (by adding the chlorine).”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), coliform bacteria is common in the environment and generally not harmful. However, the presence of bacteria in drinking water is usually the result of a problem with the treatment system or pipes which distributes water.
Chlorine, a strong disinfectant, is usually added to public water supplies to eliminate the bacteria.
“All water systems in the United States test for coliform bacteria under the Safe Drinking Water Act requirements,” DiMartino said. “Bacterial testing requirements for public drinking water are very strict. Drinking water samples must have a count of zero total coliform bacteria colonies.
“Coliform bacteria is a very common and non-harmful indicator bacterium.  As a point of reference, beaches are considered safe for swimming if the bacteria count is as high as 235 colonies of bacteria.”
According to the DPW director, chlorine will continue to be added to the town's water supply until the middle of December and “beyond if we need to,” he said.
“We do not intend to feed chlorine on a permanent basis, but are ready to do whatever is necessary to keep the drinking water safe,” DiMartino said. “So, for now, there may be a swimming pool smell, but that means there is chlorine residual in the water from your tap and bacteria is not a problem.”
The DPW has also increased its collection of water samples, testing more than 100 samples taken this month for bacteria. About 40 tests are usually completed each month.
According to DiMartino, the most recent water samples are showing some positive test results.
“We just took a couple of water samples yesterday (Monday),” he said. “It looks like we have pretty good coverage. We have some readings where there is zero count of chlorine.”
The DPW director expects more test results back on Wednesday. Water samples usually take 24 to 48 hours to test for bacteria.
The source of the bacteria, which was discovered in water samples taken at various locations throughout town, is unknown, according to DiMartino.
“We never had this problem before,” he said. “The cause is unknown. It could be sampling, lab problems, problems with sterilized bottles or something else.”
The DPW will also continue to check chlorine residuals throughout the town's water system on a daily basis. The department is also expected to add chlorine at the standpipes in town, which is expected to take a few months to complete.
In August, residents of the north end complained to town officials  about discovering discolored tap water caused by the presence of iron and manganese. In response to the discolored water, crews flushed hydrants in affected areas and installed specially designed air release valves.