To counter the situation, authorities distributed as much as 8,000 gallons of free bottled water to Pembroke residents Sunday morning. The bacteria was first detected in the water supply last week.
Authorities are urging residents to boil tap water before drinking or bathing in it. Chlorine has been added to the water distribution system and fire hydrants have been flushed out.
The 18,000 residents in the city mostly rely on their own water supply.
E. coli can cause cramps, nausea, diarrhea, headaches, and other similar symptoms. The elderly, infants and young children are the most predisposed to the bacteria.
