Click here to download PDF notification and report

Well #2 for the Port of the Islands Public Drinking Water System Tested Positive for E.coli Contamination

Our water system detected fecal indicators (E.coli) in one of our wells. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. On October 22, 2021, we were notified that a routine bacteriological sample we collected from Well #2 on October 20, 2021, tested positive for E.coli bacteria. Upon notification, we immediately removed Well #2 from service. Currently raw water is being supplied by the water system’s other wells.

What should I do?

Since Well #2 has been removed from service, customers need not take any action at this time.

What does this mean?

HEALTH EFFECTS
Inadequately treated or inadequately protected water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and associated headaches. Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as 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 severely compromised immune systems. These symptoms are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice.

What is being done?

The water system is currently investigating the cause of the E. coli-positive bacteriological sample from Well #2, and will be required to collect 5 additional samples from this Well within 24 hours, to confirm the level of contamination. Also, once the 5 additional samples have been collected and the investigation is complete, the water system will be required to correct the problem, disinfect Well #2, and perform a satisfactory 10 sample well survey on it. Once this has been accomplished, Well #2 can be placed back into service. Until that time, the water system will be using its other Wells to serve its customers and meet its water demand.

Additional Information:

For more information please contact MITCH GILBERT at (239) 435-0951, or contact Patty Baron at the Department of Environmental Protection at patty.baron@floridaDEP.gov

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.