Dirty water: King Co. residents warned of E. coli
DES MOINES -- More than 5,000 customers in southwest King County have been urged to boil their water after a tap tested positive for the potentially harmful E. coli bacteria Saturday.
The boil-water advisory was issued for King County Water District 54 in Des Moines and Normandy Park, extending southward from South 212th Street to Ken-Des Moines Road and eastward from Puget Sound to 14th Avenue. All food establishments within the boundaries were also ordered to suspend operations until the boil-water advisory was lifted.
Officials said the advisory would remain in effect until officials flushed the system with chlorine and water samples tested negative to E. coli. They are also looking into the source of the contamination.
"The safety of our customers is our top priority," King County Water District 54 Superintendent Eric Clarke said. "We're working closely with the state to resolve this problem as quickly as possible."
Bottled water and hand sanitizer was slated to be on hand at Des Moines Elementary School Monday. The school would remain open, and a cold lunch prepared off-site would be available for students.
Officials encouraged bringing drinking water to a brisk boil for about one minute and allowing it to cool before use. Water should be boiled for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food and making ice and washing dishes.
Customers who have questions about their water quality can call the water district, 206-878-7210.