E. coli found in GR water
Customers told to boil water while officials search for source of bacteria
By Marguerite Alexander
Correspondent, The Sun
Phone lines at the Grand Ronde Community Water Association were busy on Tuesday as the staff personally called all 950 of its customers to tell them to boil their water after recent water samples tested positive for bacteria.
The Grand Ronde utility utilizes spring water from four springs. The water supply is generally pure enough that it does not require treatment. Like all public drinking water, the water is tested regularly for contaminants.
 According to Data Online—Oregon Drinking Water Program, on Jan. 23 five samples tested positive for coliform bacteria. While coliforms are commonly found in the environment, they are used as an indicator of the possible presence of other microorganisms.
One of the six samples also tested positive for E. coli—a fecal coliform bacteria. “We are a little more alarmed with that,” said Carrie Gentry of the Oregon Public Health Systems.
Although the presence of fecal coliforms is a better indicator of fecal contamination than total coliforms, just because the water tests positive for them does not mean that disease-causing organisms are present. As a precaution water used for consumption, food preparation or brushing teeth should be boiled for one full minute.
According to Karl Ekstrom of the Grand Ronde Community Water Association, it has not been determined how the bacteria entered the water system. “We don’t really have a cause,” he said.
Recent samples of water from the springs indicate that the current problem is not associated with the springs themselves, but with the pipes and reservoirs used to distribute the water, explained Gentry. Typically flushing the reservoirs and working on the distribution system is all that is needed to correct the problem.
The water association is working with the Polk County Health Department and the Oregon State Health Division to eliminate the bacteria from the water. Water samples are being tested regularly. Gentry expects that the situation will be resolved in a couple of days.
The Sun will publish updates on this story when they are available at SheridanSun.com.
UPDATE:
Four days after tests revealed bacteria in the water from the Grand Ronde Community Water Association, residents must still boil their water. Plans are in place to start disinfectant procedures on Monday, explained Karl Ekstrom. After that, the association will have a better idea as to when the order to boil water will be lifted.
It is also important to remember to boil water consumed by pets. Animals as well as people can potentially be affected by the bacteria found in the water.
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