Syracuse waters have tested positive for coliform and E. Coli and authorities have gone to great length to notify all the residents about the danger and to eliminate the bacteria growing in the water supply. So far, no person has been infected and the authorities have issued several guidelines, to prevent infections from happening.
Firstly, the water has to be boiled before being used. Bringing the water under hard boil for 1 minute should be enough to kill the bacteria. Showering with contaminated water is allowed as long as there are no open sores or wounds on the body. Drinking contaminated water is not allowed and people should drink only boiled water or bottled water. Authorities have set up distribution center for bottled water at the fire station on a first-come first-served basis.
People should also throw out any old ice cubes they might have in their fridge. They should also clean properly ice makers, water heaters, purifiers, water softeners and they should buy new water filters.
If the regulations are not followed and a person drinks contaminated water, they might experience several symptoms like, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Every person that has these symptoms should consult their physician in order to receive proper treatment.
The contamination of potable water with coliform bacteria and E. Coli usually happens if fecal matters find their way into the town`s water supply. Understandably, people are outraged about how an accident such as this one could have taken place and they fear for their health and for that of their children.
Authorities are working to find the origin of the infection and the strongest leads so far, suggest that human error is at fault. Deputy Fire Chief Joe Hamblin has revealed that a cross-connection between the water meant for culinary purposes and secondary water systems is to blame for the contamination. The lines, running under 2000 West, are said to have been incorrectly connected by the developer which was contracted to build them.
For the time being, Public Works Director Robert Whiteley, has said that many of their crews are working on flushing and chlorinating the waters to make them potable once more and that thanks to everyone`s effort, the bacteria population has decreased in numbers.
Residents are advised to let the chlorinated water run through their faucets for twenty minutes and then they should let hot water pour through the drainage system for two minutes.
This is not the first time that the Syracuse potable water supply is contaminated with E. Coli. The same thing happened in August 2014.
Image Source: staticflickr
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