E.coli in one Lake Worth water well

Comment Up

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
WATER UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
301 College Street
Lake Worth, FL 33460
561.586.1710
LAKEWORTH.ORG

FROM:      Brian Shields
                  Water Utility Director

SUBJECT: Drinking Water Warning

DATE:       July 22, 2016

DRINKING WATER WARNING
City of Lake Worth Raw Water Well (#01) sample tests positive for E. coli

Este aviso contiene información importante sobre su agua potable anons sa a gen enfòmasyon ki enpòtan sou ou bwè

One of our 13 raw water wells (#01) was sampled on July 21, 2016 and had a water sample test positive for fecal coliform (E. coli) bacteria on July 22, 2016. Raw water well (#01) was taken out of rotation on July 22, 2016 and is not being utilized. Public notification of the positive raw water well sample test is required by the Health Department. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.

Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.

What Should I Do? What does this mean?
• The E. coli bacteria were found in a raw water sample from one well only. This well was taken out of rotation on July 22, 2016. All other samples taken at the wells and at the water treatment plant connection with the distribution system point of entry were absent of these bacteria.

• Fecal coliform and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and other people with severely compromised immune systems.

• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

What is being done?
Recheck samples are being collected at the well sample point and water treatment plant (point of entry) sample point to duly validate no contamination of the drinking water supply. We anticipate resolving the problem within 72 hours. For more information, please contact Tim Sloan, Water Treatment Plant Manager at 561-586-1710. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people whom drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by the City of Lake Worth, State Water System ID # 450-0773.

Date Distributed: July-22-2016

Cc: Palm Beach County Health Department


Dolores Key, Economic Development & Marketing Director
City of Lake Worth
7 North Dixie Highway
Lake Worth, FL 33460
561.586.1793