State Fines Salem On Drinking Water Issue

Salem, N.H., is paying the state $13,000 to settle a clean water lawsuit. Attorney General Peter Heed said the state sued the town because the town did not direct residents to boil drinking water in 2002 after finding E. coli bacteria in the water supply.

Heed said after Salem reported finding the bacteria, state environmental officials reminded the town it was required to issue a boil order within 24 hours. The lawsuit alleged that rather than issue the order, the town decided to wait for more tests.

The state did not allege anyone got sick from the bacteria.

Source: WMUR