E-Coli found in our town's water

[avdeane]

Yesterday I had to take my son to physiotherapy and so decided to grab our mail from the post office before heading to the school. We live in a small rural town and I noticed on the windows of the building for the local paper that there was a notice for all residents to boil their water before drinking! I hadn't listened to the radio at all or watched the local news so I had no idea what was going on. After getting home I checked online to see if I could find out something. Well needless to say they had found e-coli in our water and so they had issued the warning. What bothers me is that it was discovered the night before!! Apparently the township did go around and leave a letter slipped into everyone's front door. Problem there is many people don't use their front door around here since we don't have postal delivery. Not to mention many of the old victorian homes here have been turned into duplexes and they only left a note at one door, plus many elderly people only use one door and if they don't have a family member who checks on them daily they could be in serious trouble! I personally didn't find out about the water advisory until 3pm the next day so we were all exposed to the e-coli during the day as was our pets.
There was an outbreak of e-coli in the water a few years ago not too far from us. By the time they found it and did something about it, some people had died or become seriously ill. It's certainly got us worried!! Of course they are testing the water again but won't have results until saturday or sunday. Nice to know they are in such a hurry to help us!!

Thanks for letting me vent about this!!

 

[nuke]

It's not that water authorities don't care about the community that it's taking until Sat or Sun for test results. It's because e-coli is a bacteria that needs to be cultured and grown before they know if it is present. The tests take 2-3 days.
If there were notices on TV and Radio and they sent people around what else could they do? Maybe door to door but that would have taken all day also.
I can understand your frustration but believe me they don't want whole communities sick.

I hope your family is safe from illness.

 

[avdeane]

I guess it's just hard to think all is being done when your first thoughts are worry and concern for your family's well being. I know you are right that they are doing what they can but it is very frustrating and it helps to voice your worries on here!!

Thanks for your concern!