BOSTON -- The boil water order in Wareham was lifted Friday, according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Officials said that the water is now safe for all uses, including consumption. Wareham began boiling its water on Aug. 27 after a routine water sample tested positive for E. coli bacteria.

All 30 samples taken from the water distribution system between Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were free of bacteria, officials said. Additional samples taken at all of the district's seven wells were also free of bacteria.

"From the beginning, we believed that the contamination was not from the wells," said Water Superintendent Michael Martin. "We will now focus on evaluating what the potential source(s) of the contamination were."

As part of the DEP's termination order, Wareham Water will continue to chlorinate its wells, gradually reducing the dosage from 1.7 ppm to .04 ppm over the next three weeks. Normally, the water in Wareham is not chlorinated.

The water department will continue to distribute bottled water on Saturday to its customers until the supply is gone.

"I can assure all our customers that the water is now safe to drink," Martin said. "We apologize for the major inconvenience this contamination event has caused the people of Wareham."

E. coli bacteria in water can make humans sick. It is especially true for infants, children and persons with weakened immune systems. Microbes in the water can possibly cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms.