(CUC) — This is a drinking water warning for As Perdido, Saipan.
At 11 a.m., Thursday, test results confirmed the presence of E. coli in the As Perdido water system, or all areas that receive water from the Kumoi Well.
These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
This is to advise all As Perdido customers to boil the water before using it.
• Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
Emergency disinfection using chlorine bleach:
• 1 quart of water – 2 drops of chlorine for clear water – 4 drops of chlorine for cloudy water
• 2 gallon of water – 8 drops of chlorine for clear water – 16 drops of chlorine for cloudy water
• 5 gallon – 1/2 teaspoon of chlorine for clear water – 1 teaspoon for cloudy water
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.
Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.
People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source — for example, following heavy rains. It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system — pipes — or a failure in the water treatment process.
In this specific event, the chlorine disinfection system was accidentally disconnected by ground-maintenance contractors in As Perdido at the Kumoi Well, who were immediately advised and warned about their actions.
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. detected the problem within a matter of hours, repaired the chlorination unit, increased dosages, and flushed the pipelines.
CUC anticipates that proper chlorine levels are now in the water.
However, residents who receive water from the Kumoi Well are advised to boil the water until otherwise notified that test results are clear.
For more information, contact the CUC Water Quality Laboratory at 322-5140 or the Division of Environmental Quality at 664-8500. G
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.