The boil water emergency was lifted for nearly all parts of Gloucester after a period of 18 long days that had stalled the pace of life in this city.

Just about 120 homes more in the industrial Blackburn area of the city will need to boil water for another two more days.

The decision to lift the order came after a round of meetings involving the mayor and other city officials. Earlier a report said that recent tests done on water in Gloucester had shown that it was clear of any coliform. This reason of lifting the ban came soon after these test results were known.

The lifting of the ban also confirmed the need for improving the water infrastructure of the city by making capital investments.

"I think people have the idea that we're pouring tons and tons of chlorine into the system," Deputy Fire Chief Schlichte, who has served as the city's chief spokesman throughout the water emergency, said yesterday. "That's not the case."

The test results and partial lifting of the boil order also came as officials continue to examine the substantial causes of the problem. There are speculations regarding the contamination.

"We're certainly optimistic that things in the last week have finally been going in the direction we want them to," said Deputy Fire Chief Miles Schlichte, the city's spokesman on the water crisis. "These test results are proving that."