Total Coliform

MHEL

The New York State Department of Health sets drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of total coliform (coliform bacteria) is a possible health concern. Total coliform are common in the environment and are generally not harmful themselves. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water, however, generally is a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and possibly jaundice and any associated headaches and fatigue. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease-causing organisms in drinking water, but also may be caused by a number of factors other than your drinking water. The New York State Department of Health has set an enforceable drinking water standard for total coliform to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard, a system may have no more than one sample containing these bacteria. Drinking water which meets this standard is usually not associated with a health risk form disease-causing bacteria.

The information below is also provided to help public water supply operators complete public notices for total coliform violations.

What Supply is Doing to Correct Problem

This section should be introduced by the statement "Public Water Systems that violate drinking water standards must notify consumers, investigate the problem and propose methods for complying with the standard," followed by information on what the supplier is doing. If known, notices should mention the date by which the problem will be corrected. If the problem has already been corrected, the notice should inform consumers of the date the problem was corrected.

- Preventative Measures -

For a total coliform violation or E. coli violation that does not require a boil water notice:

"In order to insure that disease causing organisms do not exist in your drinking water you may boil the water for at least two minutes, or you may add two drops of bleach disinfectant such as "Clorox" or add four drops of tincture of iodine to 1 gallon of water and let stand 30 minutes before using. Another alternative is to drink bottled water. Individuals that have symptoms described in the above notice may wish to seek medical attention. This is not a "Boil Water Notice" but a notice of concern so that you can take prudent steps to protect your health until the problem has been solved."

E. coli

MHEL

The New York State Department of Health sets drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of E. coli is a serious health concern. E. coli are generally not harmful themselves, but their presence in drinking water is serious because they usually are associated with sewage or animal wastes. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water is generally a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and associated headaches and fatigue. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease-causing organisms in drinking water, but also may be caused by a number of factors other than your drinking water. The New York State Department of Health has set an enforceable drinking water standard for E. coli to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Under this standard all drinking water samples must be free of these bacteria. Drinking water which meets this standard is associated with little or none of this risk and should be considered safe. State and local health authorities recommend that consumers take the following precautions.

The information below is also provided to help public water supply operators complete public notices for E.coli violations.

- Preventative Measures -

For situations involving E. coli violations, the notice should include the recommendation to boil water or take alternative actions:

"All tap water for human consumption should be boiled for at least two minutes, or add two drops of liquid bleach disinfectant such as "Clorox" or four drops of tincture of iodine to one gallon of water, and let stand for 30 minutes before drinking. Another alternative is to drink bottled water. Individuals who have symptoms described in the above Boil Water Notice may wish to seek medical attention. Please take the above steps to protect your health until further notice."

Cryptosporidium

Advisory for the Immunocompromised

The Health Department believes that the risk of waterborne disease is low. However, because cryptosporidiosis can be a severe disease in immunocompromised persons, such individuals may want to consider, in consultation with their health care provider, extra precautions to minimize their risk of infection. Precautions may include boiling their drinking water for at least two minutes, purchasing bottled water supplied from a groundwater source and certified for sale by the New York State Department of Health, or utilizing home water filters certified for cyst removal by the National Sanitation Foundation. Examples of immunocompromised persons include individuals with HIV/AIDS, patients receiving cancer treatment, recipients of organ or bone marrow transplants, patients with Crohn's disease, patients on high dose steroids, and persons with congenital immunodeficiencies.

See also SWTR Treatment Technique Violation

Annual Water Supply Statement

New York State law requires water suppliers to notify their customers about the risks of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis. Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are intestinal illnesses caused by microscopic parasites. Cryptosporidiosis can be very serious for people with weak immune systems, such as chemotherapy, dialysis or transplant patients, and people with Crohn's disease or HIV infection. People with weakened immune systems should discuss with their health care providers the need to take extra precautions such as boiling water, using certified bottled water or specially approved home filter. Individuals who think they may have cryptosporidiosis or giardiasis should contact their health care provider immediately.

- Preventative Measures -

Dishes and dishwasher-safe toys may be washed in a commercial dishwasher that has a dry cycle or a final rinse that exceeds 113 °F for 20 minutes or 122 °F for 5 minutes or 162 °F for 1 minute. Cloth toys may be washed and heat-dried in a clothes dryer for 30 minutes. - from CDC WGWC manual 1997