CITYWIDE BOIL WATER NOTICE - E. coli Present in Two Separate Samples of Cape Coral Drinking Water

Boil Water Notice for City of Cape Coral
DRINKING WATER WARNING - BOIL BEFORE USING

September 12, 2022

E. coli bacteria were found in the water supply during routine random sampling at two separate locations. As a result, a citywide boil water notice has been issued, effective immediately. These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems. Follow-up testing is being conducted, with additional results expected tomorrow. 

What should I do? What does this mean?

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all 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.
• *Fecal coliforms and 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 from their health care providers about drinking this water.

What is being done?

The City has flushed the affected area. Both Reverse Osmosis Water Plants have increased the chlorination of the finished water leaving the plants. We are increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to the source of the contamination. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria, and you no longer need to boil your water.

We anticipate resolving the problem within the next 72 hours. For more information, visit capecoral.gov. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the 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 (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*