By Meena Kar
Nov. 29, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Portland Water Bureau on November 28, issued a notice to make people aware of the E.coli contamination in drinking water. PWB made a statement saying, “The affected area includes much of the City of Portland west of the Willamette River and customers who receive water bills from the palatine Hill Water District, Valley View Water District and Burlington Water District.” As per the reports of the sources, samples of this harmful bacteria were found from the water of Washington Park on November 25. Later on November 27, test reports confirmed the presence of the bacteria in water of Washington Park [ Reservoir 3].

As E.coli bacteria can cause several health problems, Portland Water Bureau has asked people residing in the affected regions to boil tap water before drinking. Though infants and children have the maximum chances of getting affected by this contaminated water, adults who have weak immune system or have diseases like HIV ad cancer are also prone to diseases caused by the E.coli bacteria. If someone gets affected by drinking this contaminated water then he might show symptoms like headache, nausea, cramps, diarrhea etc.

All E.coli bacteria do not cause health problems still Portland Water Bureau has not taken any risk and asked people to boil tap water. They have also stopped water supply from this reservoir since Saturday and water from this tank is no longer running through the delivery system. It has come in news that this reservoir would be treated properly so that it gets free from any kind of contamination. Water supply from this reservoir will start after the entire process ends.