It can’t be THAT bad… right?

Check out this email I got from the town I live in… holy crap. ::ugh:: I guess I’ll be bottlin’ it for a while… Lovely…

August 18, 2006
4:30 p.m.

E. COLI DETECTED IN PART OF CARY WATER SYSTEM
Boil Water Notice Issued for Cary

CARY, NC –Results of the Town of Cary’s routine sampling and testing of its water
supply has revealed the presence of E. coli on Coronado Way in the Coronado Village
subdivision in central Cary, and as a precaution, “Boil Water” notices are being
issued for all water customers located in the Town of Cary; this DOES NOT include
Apex, Morrisville, RTP, or RDU.  Officials believe that this isolated finding is
likely the result of an as yet undetected illegal cross-connection or recent system
work during which bacterial contamination could have entered the system. Tests from
nearly 40 other sampling points taken this week throughout Cary were normal.

“Please share this information with all other people who drink this water,
especially those who may not have received this notice directly, such as people
living in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses,” said Town of Cary
Public Works Director Mike Bajorek.  “You can do this by posting this notice in a
public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Until further notice, people in Cary should bring tap water to a rolling boil for at
least three minutes or use bottled water until further notice for the following
purposes:
•        Drinking
•        Cooking
•        Brushing teeth
•        Making ice
•        Preparing infant formula and juices
•        Washing fruit, vegetables and other food items
•        Cleaning dishes

Fecal coliform or E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may
be contaminated with human or animal waste.  Microbes in this waste can cause
diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms.  Properly boiling the water
kills the harmful bacteria.  The bacteria may pose a special risk to sensitive
customers, such as infants, young children and customers with weakened immune
systems should especially use boiled or bottled water for bathing because they may
be more susceptible to harmful bacteria in the water.

“While the water is safe for showers and bathing, we are advising all residents to
avoid eye, nose and mouth contact with the water, including swallowing the water,”
said Bajorek.

To address the problem, Town of Cary crews are flushing the water system in Coronado
Village using fire hydrants and raising chlorine levels at the water treatment plant
to help with disinfection.  Once this is complete, another round of testing will be
conducted.  Once testing results are normal, the Boil Water Notice will be
discontinued.

“While we are working around the clock to restore high quality services to the
affected area, we expect that the inconvenience of the situation may last through
the weekend” said Bajorek.

Concerned citizens needing more information may call (919) 469-4090 to speak with a
customer service representative.  Also, the latest updates will be available through
the Town’s Web site at www.townofcary.org and via the Town’s electronic mailing list
service.  A recorded message with the latest update is available at (919) 319-4500.

###

PRIMARY CONTACTS:        Mike Bajorek, Public Works Director, (919) 460-4090
April R. Little, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 481-5091
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951