Posted on 03/29/2008 10:58:11 AM PDT by neverdem
Associated Press
DENVER --High concentrations of chlorine being used to purge salmonella from a southern Colorado town's water system were expected to drop far enough Saturday that residents could use the water for showering.
The disinfection process in Alamosa began Tuesday, five days after officials confirmed the presence of the bacteria in the water. The source is still unknown.
Nearly 300 people have become ill, with 73 cases of salmonella confirmed.
During the cleansing, the chlorine level in Alamosa's tap water is more than five times greater than what's needed to keep a swimming pool clean. Authorities say it could be April 7 before levels are low enough in the 50-mile network of pipes that residents can drink the water.
In the meantime, volunteers and the National Guard are passing out clean water at distribution points, and officials say the tap water is usable only for flushing toilets.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. Victims typically recover on their own, but the elderly, infants and people with impaired immune systems may require treatment.
Salmonella bacteria are usually food-borne, and contamination of public water systems is rare.
Officials have identified the strain of salmonella in the water system as one commonly found in the feces of birds, deer and other warm-blooded animals around the agricultural community of 8,500.
Alamosa's water is drawn from a deep well and had been the largest of about 100 water systems in the state that didn't require chlorination. City plans called for a new water plant, already being built, to include chlorination even before the salmonella outbreak.
Ping
“the tap water is usable only for flushing toilets.”
The residents can’t use it for washing! They’re gonna smell like Palestinians by April 7th!
micro ping
“Colo. town closer to drinkable tap water”
Something you expect to read in the paper of a third world country!
My vote is an intentional poisoning. A couple of bird droppings aren't going to be that disruptive.
Remember “al fuqra?”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/782257/posts
I recall that they had a cell somewhere in the San Luis valley.
Thanks for the link.
I know someone living in the town, and she told me about this a couple of days ago, and also said they had a few cases of hantavirus at the same time. Fun!
Interesting, al fuqra cell less than two hours away.
Star’s Dust May Hold Clue to New Planet
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Wow. I was in Alamosa in Sept (going to a nearby Dude Ranch). I’ll have to pass this off to a buddy.
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