For immediate release: December 13, 2007 (07-218)

Contacts:
Derek Pell, Office of Drinking Water 253-395-6763
Allison Cook, Communications Office 360-236-4022

Customers of the “Y Bar S Water System” urged to boil their water

OLYMPIA – Customers of the “Y Bar S Water System” near Enumclaw are being advised to boil their water because E. coli bacteria were found in a routine drinking water sample.

The advisory doesn’t affect people who get their drinking water from the City of Enumclaw.

Additional samples are being collected to confirm the initial test results. In the meantime, the utility issued a precautionary boil water notice this afternoon for the 105 households it serves. The Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water is working closely with the water system to ensure that customers are made aware of the potential health threat and to investigate possible sources of contamination.

Customers should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, dishwashing, preparing food and making ice. Tap water should be boiled for 3-5 minutes, and then allowed to cool before using.

This is the second precautionary advisory in two months for this water system. The Department of Health continues to work with the utility to identify the source of contamination and correct it. Customers with concerns should contact the system operator, Iliad Water Inc., at 800-928-3750.

E. coli bacteria normally live in the intestines of humans and animals. Although most strains are harmless, several are known to produce toxins that can cause diarrhea and other health problems.

More information about E. coli bacteria  (http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehsphl/factsheet/ecoli.htm) is available on the agency’s Web site.

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