DRINKING WATER NOTICE

WARNING

Building Blocks Large Family Child Care’s water is contaminated with E. coli
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply on March 26, 2009. These bacteria can make you sick, and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.

What should I do?

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring the water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.  Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

What happened? What is being done?

Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.

We will inform you when tests show no bacteria and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate resolving the problem within 2 weeks.

For more information, please contact Joann Joachimowski or Chuck Davidson, Environmental Health Specialist II at (302) 856-5496.  General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by Building Blocks Large Family Child Care.

Public Water System ID#: N/A

Date Distributed: 06/01/09