Category Archives: Boil Water Notice

Research – Boiling Water Noticed in the Face of E. coli Contamination

Posted on October 23, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning News

The Importance of Following Boil Water Notices

When a “boil water notice” is issued, it is not just a precautionary measure; it’s an essential public health advisory meant to protect you from potentially serious illnesses. These notices, typically released by local authorities, warn residents that their drinking water may be contaminated and that boiling it is necessary to ensure its safety. Failing to follow a boil water notice can result in serious health risks, including bacterial infections and other waterborne diseases. Here’s why it’s critical to understand and follow these warnings.

Read more in the link above

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research -Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Illness Outbreak Associated with Untreated, Pressurized, Municipal Irrigation Water — Utah, 2023

Posted on May 18, 2024 by | Leave a comment

CDC

During July–September 2023, an outbreak of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 illness among children in city A, Utah, caused 13 confirmed illnesses; seven patients were hospitalized, including two with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Local, state, and federal public health partners investigating the outbreak linked the illnesses to untreated, pressurized, municipal irrigation water (UPMIW) exposure in city A; 12 of 13 ill children reported playing in or drinking UPMIW. Clinical isolates were genetically highly related to one another and to environmental isolates from multiple locations within city A’s UPMIW system. Microbial source tracking, a method to indicate possible contamination sources, identified birds and ruminants as potential sources of fecal contamination of UPMIW. Public health and city A officials issued multiple press releases regarding the outbreak reminding residents that UPMIW is not intended for drinking or recreation. Public education and UPMIW management and operations interventions, including assessing and mitigating potential contamination sources, covering UPMIW sources and reservoirs, indicating UPMIW lines and spigots with a designated color, and providing conspicuous signage to communicate risk and intended use might help prevent future UPMIW-associated illnesses.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Research, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

UK – Cryptosporidium confirmed in water supply in two Brixham areas – live updates

Posted on May 15, 2024 by | Leave a comment

DevonLive

South West Water (SWW) has confirmed that further testing has found the presence of cryptosporidium in two areas of Brixham. Yesterday, May 14, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed 16 cases of the infection and around 70 reported cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in Brixham, with more cases reported by victims on social media.

Yesterday SWW stated that all its current water supply tests had come back clear and that customers should continue to use their water as normal. Today, May 15, it has announced it has detected ‘small traces’ of the organism in Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research – Diversity of Faecal Indicator Enterococci among Different Hosts: Importance to Water Contamination Source Tracking

Posted on December 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Enterococcus spp. are common bacteria present in the intestinal tracts of animals and are used as fecal indicators in aquatic environments. On the other hand, enterococci are also known as opportunistic pathogens. Elucidating their composition in the intestinal tracts of domestic animals can assist in estimating the sources of fecal contamination in aquatic environments. However, information on the species and composition of enterococci in animal hosts (except humans) is still lacking. In this study, enterococci were isolated from the feces of cattle, pigs, birds, and humans using selective media. Enterococcal species were identified using mass spectrometry technology, and each host was characterized by diversity and cluster analysis. The most dominant species were E. hirae in cattle, E. faecium in birds, and E. faecalis in pigs and humans. Cattle had the highest alpha diversity, with high interindividual and livestock farm diversity. The dominant enterococcal species in pigs and humans were identical, and cluster analysis showed that the majority of the two hosts’ species clustered together.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Enterococcus, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Israel – Following abnormal microbial results received as part of a routine sampling, the Ministry of Health informs of the need to boil water in Kibbutz Ginosar

Posted on October 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

GovIL

Following abnormal microbial results obtained as part of a routine sampling of the drinking water, the Ministry of Health announces the obligation to boil water before drinking, cooking, preparing food, preparing medicine and brushing teeth in Kibbutz Ginosar.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Nearly 7,000 Limerick people impacted by boil water notice that has been in place since May

Posted on October 16, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Independant

Nearly 7,000 Limerick residents have been impacted by a boil water notice since last May.

A boil water notice was issued back on May 13 2023 for all Limerick residents supplied by the Foynes/Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply.

Uisce Éireann explained that the notice was issued to protect the health of the public as the water served by Foynes/Shannon Estuary PWS has been described as potentially unsafe to drink due to the detection of cryptosporidium.

The areas impacted are Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Shanagolden and surrounding areas, for an estimated residential population of 6,986 people.

What actions should be taken: Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads); water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling. Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink. Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Boil notice an ongoing risk for the immunocompromised in West Limerick -Cryptosporidium

Posted on July 31, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Limerick Post

LIMERICK residents who are at risk by being immunocompromised may be waiting months before they can shower in their own homes.

“Months” is how long Uisce Éireann says it may be until it can put a new treatment system in place to deal with cryptosporidium (a parasite found in human and animal faeces) found in the water supply at the Shannon Estuary Water Treatment Plant, which has seen a boil notice enforced in the area since May.

Affected households have been told that the water is safe to drink and to use to brush teeth if boiled, but medical experts warn that while infection can cause healthy people to become mildly ill, it can lead to a life-threatening illness for people with weak immune systems.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – Limerick boil water notice may be in place until December – Cryptosporidium

Posted on May 24, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Live95 FM

Councillors found out today that the boil water notice affecting 7000 customers in Limerick may be in place until December.

In the first fifteen minutes of today’s Limerick City and County Council meeting, two councillors walked out in protest. 

Councillor Adam Teskey and Councillor Emmet O’Brien wanted to discuss the boil water notice, which came into force last week.

The notice affects people in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Kildimo, Pallaskenry and surrounding areas.

Speaking to Live 95 just after they left the chamber, Cllr Teskey said the cryptosporidium in the water is a major health concern.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Ireland – 7,000 consumers affected by Limerick water supply boil notice – Cryptosporidium

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Limerick Post

A BOIL water notice affecting 7,000 consumers served by the Foynes/Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply has been issued by Uisce Éireann after cryptosporidium was found in the treatment plant.

The notice, which was issued  following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), affects customers in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Shanagolden and surrounding areas.

All consumers affected by the notice must boil their water before drinking, preparing uncooked food, brushing teeth and making ice.

Operations Lead Duane O’Brien said Uisce Éireann acknowledged the impact of the notice on the communities affected and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

New Zealand – Dannevirke water supply on boil water notice due to E.coli

Posted on April 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Stuff

Tararua District Council has issued a boil water notice for residents on the Dannevirke water supply due to a detection of E.coli.

A council spokesperson said the boil water notice would continue for three days while further testing is under way.

The council is testing in partnership with Taumata Arowai to ensure testing is accurate and done as quickly as possible.

An update would be provided on April 27, the spokesperson said.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, E.coli, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety