Important Water Notice

Tests Show Coliform Bacteria in Water System
 

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although not an emergency, the board wants you to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct the situation.

We routinely monitor for contaminants. During May, we took two samples to test for bacteria. Both samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than one sample per month may do so.

What does this mean?

• This is not an emergency. 
• Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are naturally present in the environment and serve as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms are usually a sign that there could be a problem with the treatment or distribution system (pipes). 
• When coliform bacteria are found in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. 
• We did NOT find any fecal coliform or E. coli in our subsequent testing.

What should I do?

• You do NOT need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.
• People with severely-compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. 
• General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

What is being done?

• We are chlorinating and flushing our water system and will be releasing water at about the same rate the water is running into the tanks. 
• It should take several weeks (about a month) for the system to be flushed with the chlorinated water. 
• We will inform you when sampling shows that no bacteria are present.