By Staff
special to The Star
July 26, 2003
JACKSON The Mississippi State Department of Health on Friday issued a boil water alert for all customers who receive their drinking water from the city of Waynesboro.
Health officials strongly recommended that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. Officials said the precaution will last at least full days and residents will be immediately notified when the boil water alert is lifted.
One water sample collected showed the presence of E. coli, health officials said. The EPA sets drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of E. coli is a serious health concern.
Fecal coliforms and E. coli bacteria generally are not harmful, but their presence in drinking water is a serious concern because the bacteria is usually associated with sewage and animal wastes, the health agency said. The presence of these bacteria generally results from a problem with water treatment or pipes which distribute the water.