HAGATNA, Guam (1 Aug 2002) -- Environmental officials have found bacteria that indicate raw sewage may have penetrated the drinking water in central Guam. Fecal coliform, or E. coli, bacteria was found in the drinking water in Afame, Sinajana, Hagatna, Agana Heights, and Agana Springs. Officials from the U.S. and Guam Environmental Protection Agencies are warning people not to drink tap water without boiling it first. A general boil-water notice remains in effect for the entire island because coliform bacteria has been found in drinking water islandwide. But, officials said, fecal coliform is a more acute indicator that diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis and cholera could be in the water. In layman's terms, fecal coliform ingestion means you are more likely to get sick, even seriously ill. The total coliform level indicates some bacteria has been found. Guam EPA drinking water program Director Angel Marquez said government health officials will work with restaurants and water vendors in those areas to stop the use or sale of unboiled tap water for drinking. The fecal coliform was found in samples taken Sunday and Monday, Marquez said. Testing will continue as the government repairs its water system, he said Not uncommon After Typhoon Chata'an battered the island July 5, the island's water system was damaged, and customers received little or no water. Guam Waterworks Authority acting General Manager Gil Shinohara said crews are working around the clock to repair the system. | | The biggest hurdle is building water pressure while the island's power system -- damaged heavily in the storm -- continues to fluctuate, causing pumps and wells to fail, he said. Guam EPA chief engineer Christopher Lund said the presence of bacteria in drinking water is expected as the system is built back up. Lund said contamination might penetrate the distribution system through sewage overflows due to pump failures and breaks in water pipes. No outbreaks There have not, however, been any outbreaks of illnesses related to bacteria in the drinking water since the typhoon, said Department of Public Health and Social Services epidemiologist Robert Haddock. Haddock said there was an increase in stomach and intestinal ailments after Chata'an, but those did not occur in epidemic numbers and the cases have stabilized since. Haddock said those cases of what is called gastroenteritis also could be related to poor sanitation and a lack of proper food storage, which were both common events after the typhoon. SOURCE - PDNSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
