Spring Break
E. coli bacteria found in water at Willi Oaks
Kala Kachmar
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: News
The type of infection associated with the bacteria would be gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes fever, Miller said.
"No one I know has been bed-ridden, but my roommates have been on the toilet more often," said Matt Wilbur, a non-degree program student who lives in Willington Oaks apartments.
Alissa Dall, a 1st-year graduate student in physical therapy who also lives in the apartments, opted to take her showers at the gym for a few days after being notified of the contamination.
"I was kind of upset," Dall said. "It was a big deal and they didn't tell us what we'd be doing or how long the situation would last."
Perry Robbin, an 8th-semester journalism major, said he's been using paper plates and drinking bottled water since they were informed of the incident.
"Last year [in Willington Oaks apartments], the power was out for eight days," Robbin said. "In the spring, the septic tank broke and now there's E. coli in the water. This is a lower quality of living than I'm used to."
In June 2007, coliform - the other bacteria that is tested for in public water supplies - was found in Willington Oaks apartments' water, according to Miller. No known illness came about from the contamination.
Coliform poses less of a threat than E. coli, according to Miller, because even though coliform can be found in fecal matter, it can also be found in soil, vegetation and aquatic life.
The amount of E. coli found in the water on Tuesday is not quantified, according to Miller.
"One organism detected is treated the same as10,000 organisms," Miller said.
Miller said residents should not ingest the water, and should discard old ice cubes, wash off foods and brush their teeth with boiled or bottled water. In addition, he said young children should not bathe in the water because they are more susceptible to infection.
The Eastern Highlands Health District, New England Realty, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and New England Water Utility Services are working on assessing the infrastructure of the water system, the well sources, the distribution area, the storage facility and the watershed for contamination sources, Miller said.
New England Realty could not be reached for comment.
If residents have any questions, they can contact the Eastern Highlands Health District at 860-429-3325.
"No one I know has been bed-ridden, but my roommates have been on the toilet more often," said Matt Wilbur, a non-degree program student who lives in Willington Oaks apartments.
Alissa Dall, a 1st-year graduate student in physical therapy who also lives in the apartments, opted to take her showers at the gym for a few days after being notified of the contamination.
"I was kind of upset," Dall said. "It was a big deal and they didn't tell us what we'd be doing or how long the situation would last."
Perry Robbin, an 8th-semester journalism major, said he's been using paper plates and drinking bottled water since they were informed of the incident.
"Last year [in Willington Oaks apartments], the power was out for eight days," Robbin said. "In the spring, the septic tank broke and now there's E. coli in the water. This is a lower quality of living than I'm used to."
In June 2007, coliform - the other bacteria that is tested for in public water supplies - was found in Willington Oaks apartments' water, according to Miller. No known illness came about from the contamination.
Coliform poses less of a threat than E. coli, according to Miller, because even though coliform can be found in fecal matter, it can also be found in soil, vegetation and aquatic life.
The amount of E. coli found in the water on Tuesday is not quantified, according to Miller.
"One organism detected is treated the same as10,000 organisms," Miller said.
Miller said residents should not ingest the water, and should discard old ice cubes, wash off foods and brush their teeth with boiled or bottled water. In addition, he said young children should not bathe in the water because they are more susceptible to infection.
The Eastern Highlands Health District, New England Realty, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and New England Water Utility Services are working on assessing the infrastructure of the water system, the well sources, the distribution area, the storage facility and the watershed for contamination sources, Miller said.
New England Realty could not be reached for comment.
If residents have any questions, they can contact the Eastern Highlands Health District at 860-429-3325.
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Squirter
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:06 AM EST
This is nothing new in this area. A few years ago the same thing happened at Carriage. Here's the DC article from 2005:
E-coli Found In Carriage Water Supply
By: Elena Gaudino
Posted: 11/10/05
A notice was sent to Carriage House Apartment residents on Oct. (Continued…)
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