Officials Provide Update on Bottled Water Order

DENVER-City of Alamosa officials continue to work with the Water Quality Control Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver Water, Aurora Water and Ft. Collins Utilities to plan the disinfecting and flushing of Alamosa’s municipal water system. Before any flushing can begin, there must be an adequate supply of bottled water available to meet the community’s needs and a clear plan in place so every resident is notified not to turn on their taps.

Plans are being developed with other cooperating municipal water treatment operators to have equipment and personnel in place to begin flushing the system as soon as an adequate program can be implemented. It still is yet to be determined the length of time that it will take to flush the system and complete post-disinfection testing.

In the meantime residents are advised to only consume bottled water or water from sources other than the city’s municipal water system. Area residents and visitors should not be using tap water from the city’s water system for drinking and cooking.

When the flushing of the municipal water system begins, boiling water will not be adequate protection from the contaminated water. Only bottled water should be consumed from the time the flushing of the system begins until further notice from city and state officials. Officials will inform the public before the municipal system water flushing begins.

Officials from the Colorado Division of Emergency Management and the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment continue to work with city officials with commercial water bottlers and suppliers to help provide bottled water to the community through distribution centers identified by the city.

To date, 138 cases of Salmonella have been reported. Of those 47 are confirmed by lab testing. There have been seven hospitalizations from among the 47 confirmed cases. The range in age of reported cases is from less than a year old to 89 years old.

Salmonella is a common bacteria than can cause serious illness. It often comes from contaminated food, but can come from contaminated water.

Restaurants

The Consumer Protection Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has staff in Alamosa and is in the process of contacting all restaurants, schools, child care centers, grocery stores, food manufacturers and food storage facilities providing guidelines.

Those guidelines include discarding produce that has already been washed or sprayed by a produce mister with city water. For example, lettuce, raw carrots or other raw vegetables that won’t be fully cooked before service should be discarded. Potatoes, squash or other vegetables that would be fully cooked before serving do not need to be discarded. In addition to produce, any prepared or processed foods prepared with city water also should be discarded. Ice made from city water should not be used, and canned or bottled drinks should be substituted for soda fountain drinks using city water.

Seeking Medical Consultation

Salmonella symptoms usually begin about one to three days after exposure and include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people will recover without medical treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person may be ill enough to require hospitalization.

Most children and healthy adults with diarrhea should be able to remain at home and may not need to see a health care provider. The important goal is to prevent dehydration from the diarrhea. To prevent dehydration, drink a rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte, or drink soups alternating with fruit juice. Drink a cup or more of liquid for each large, loose stool.

Infants under 3 months of age, the elderly or frail and people with underlying illnesses are more likely to require medical care. Persons who feel they are seriously ill or who are worsening despite home treatment may need urgent care such as intravenous fluids, and should see a health care provider.

Information about salmonella is available at the COHELP line 1-877-462-2911. People can call for recorded information in English and Spanish between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.

State consumer protection officials provided the following guidance during the bottled water order:

• At home, use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing dishes and for adding to any food especially for the preparation of baby formula.
• Home-style/domestic dish washing machines are adequate for sanitizing if the heat drying cycle is applied.
• Bathing and showering in the water should present no problems for healthy individuals. Exercise caution not to ingest water during such activities.
• No commercial food preparation should be done unless approved by the local public health agency.
• Consider using prepared food from an alternative approved source.
• Use only prepackaged foods that do not require any additional preparation other than heating in its original container.
• Frequently wash hands and apply hand sanitizer after washing.
• During food preparation, do not touch food with bare hands. Use disposable gloves.
• Use frozen/canned fruits and vegetables.
• Purchase packaged potable ice.
• Do not use water to wash plates, cups and utensils. Use only single-service utensils, such as paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic spoons, forks and knives.