To learn more information about how to boil your water please click here.
MESSAGE FROM JOHNSON UTILITIES (Letter is available for download at the end of this article.)
E. coli bacteria is present in the Johnson Utilities’ water. Use an alternative source of drinking water (e.g., bottled water) or boil your water before using.
E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply on August 16, 2012. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. Please be advised that 75 additional follow-up samples collected on August 20, 2012, did not reflect the presence of E. coli bacteria but one sample still tested positive for the presence of total coliform bacteria.
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.
What should I do? What does this mean?
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.
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, and people with severely compromised immune systems.*
The symptoms above 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. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
What is being done?
Further tests will be taken tomorrow, August 22, 2012. We will inform you when tests no longer show the presence of bacteria in the water and when you no longer need to use an alternative source of water and/or boil your water.
For more information, please contact Johnson Utilities at 480-987-9870 or visit our main office at 968 East Hunt Highway, Queen Creek, Arizona 85242. 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.
THIS IS THE MESSAGE GOING OUT INTO THE FLORENCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT:
A message from FLORENCE UNIFIED SCHOOL DIST 1
Good evening, parents,
We have just received advance notice from Johnson Utilities that they will be distributing a boiled water notice to businesses and residents in their service area tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22.
This is Dana Hawman, Director of Public Relations at Florence Unified School District. Johnson Utilities has found E-coli bacteria in test samples taken in the San Tan Valley service area in two consecutive tests. These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
All district schools will be affected by this notice, with the exception of Anthem K-8, Florence K-8, Florence High School, STEP and SuMMit.
We are seeking additional information at this time and will contact you later tonight.
To view the notice, which includes details about boiling water for consumption, go to www.florenceusd.org.
Thank you.
RESPONSE FROM JOHNSON UTILITIES RECEIVED AT 12:30PM Wednesday, August 22nd can be read here:
