California boil order lifted after two negative E. coli test results
CALIFORNIA, Mo. (KMIZ.)
The California boil order was lifted Thursday after the Department of Natural Resources confirmed all E.coli samples collected Monday and Tuesday came back absent from E coli and total coliform bacteria.
However, a non-profit organization, "The Well CaliMo" gave out 20 pallets of free water at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. The group invited all city residents to stop by the First Christian Church parking lot at 107 North Oak.
"There were some families that were struggling and being able to keep up with clean water for their families… so we wanted to help that out", said site director for Well CaliMo, Heather Medlin.
Just one week ago residents had to find different ways of using water after the department of natural resources received a positive result for e.coli.
Residents may now wonder how the department and city can prevent something like this from happening in the future.
Sebastien Versailles, with the Department of Natural Resources, says conducting monthly e-coli tests is one way to make sure this isn't repeated.
"We'd make sure that the system does take repeat samples. We do try to make sure that the locations that are being used are idea conditions. Were not going to have sample locations that are going to have issues with potential contamination", said Versailles.
For now-- hundreds of California residents can resume their daily routines and have a sense of relief knowing that their water is safe again.
"It's been such a struggle for families to--you know, especially older residents and younger residents with babies and stuff to keep that water safe and be able to you know bathe and do all those things. So you know we're lucky we can get water",said Medlin.
The boil order was put into place last week after DNR reported a positive test for E. coli in the city's water on Friday. The presence of E. coli means the water could have been contaminated with human or animal waste.
Short-term effects of E. coli include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headache. However, E. coli could cause a much greater risk for people with severely compromised immune systems.
