Deadly E.coli in Ontario
Contaminated Water Supply in Walkerton, Ontario Kills Seven
Dateline: 05/31/00
Seven people are now dead, and a dozen remain in regional hospitals, as Walkerton, Ontario deals with a town water supply contaminated by E.coli bacteria. Hundreds of others have been sick with bloody diarrhea, cramps and nausea, and it could be another week before Walkerton residents can drink tap water safely again, according to the CBC. Schools will remain closed for the rest of this week at least.
The Canadian Press reports that another two deaths are being investigated by the Coroner's Office as possibly related to the E.coli contamination. These two deaths happened before it was known there was an E.coli outbreak.
Walkerton is a small community of 5000, about 145 km (90 miles) west of Toronto.
Other cases of the infection have been reported in Windsor, London and Kitchener.
The Medical Officer for the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Municipality has also issued a "Boil Water" advisory, warning users of the Freelton Municipal Water system to boil water before drinking cooking, washing, or bathing. Notices of this advisory were hand-delivered to affected residents. A report in The Hamilton Spectator says approximately 150 to 180 homes get their water from the Freelton supply.
The residents of Shelburne, a community near Orangeville, Ontario, have been advised that E.coli has been detected in one of their town's wells, but not in the water supply system. Although a "Boil Water" advisory has not been issued in Shelburne, officials say concerned residents may want to boil their water for five minutes to ensure safety.
For days the Walkerton Public Utility Commission denied there was anything wrong with the water, and it wasn't until the Grey-Bruce County medical officer ordered independent water samples that he was able to confirm the presence of E.coli bacteria in Walkerton's water supply.
Officials are not sure how the contamination in Walkerton started, although there has been speculation that cattle manure or sewage may have got into a town well after heavy storms and flooding in the area. A machine that mixes chlorine to treat the water was also malfunctioning.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is investigating to determine how the water supply was contaminated and why procedures failed to alert the community earlier. The Ontario Provincial Police are also investigating. The Ontario Clean Water Agency has taken over management of Walkerton's water supply for the next few months.
Contaminated Water Supply in Walkerton, Ontario Kills Seven
Dateline: 05/31/00
Seven people are now dead, and a dozen remain in regional hospitals, as Walkerton, Ontario deals with a town water supply contaminated by E.coli bacteria. Hundreds of others have been sick with bloody diarrhea, cramps and nausea, and it could be another week before Walkerton residents can drink tap water safely again, according to the CBC. Schools will remain closed for the rest of this week at least.
The Canadian Press reports that another two deaths are being investigated by the Coroner's Office as possibly related to the E.coli contamination. These two deaths happened before it was known there was an E.coli outbreak.
Walkerton is a small community of 5000, about 145 km (90 miles) west of Toronto.
Other cases of the infection have been reported in Windsor, London and Kitchener.
The Medical Officer for the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Municipality has also issued a "Boil Water" advisory, warning users of the Freelton Municipal Water system to boil water before drinking cooking, washing, or bathing. Notices of this advisory were hand-delivered to affected residents. A report in The Hamilton Spectator says approximately 150 to 180 homes get their water from the Freelton supply.
The residents of Shelburne, a community near Orangeville, Ontario, have been advised that E.coli has been detected in one of their town's wells, but not in the water supply system. Although a "Boil Water" advisory has not been issued in Shelburne, officials say concerned residents may want to boil their water for five minutes to ensure safety.
For days the Walkerton Public Utility Commission denied there was anything wrong with the water, and it wasn't until the Grey-Bruce County medical officer ordered independent water samples that he was able to confirm the presence of E.coli bacteria in Walkerton's water supply.
Officials are not sure how the contamination in Walkerton started, although there has been speculation that cattle manure or sewage may have got into a town well after heavy storms and flooding in the area. A machine that mixes chlorine to treat the water was also malfunctioning.
The Ontario Ministry of the Environment is investigating to determine how the water supply was contaminated and why procedures failed to alert the community earlier. The Ontario Provincial Police are also investigating. The Ontario Clean Water Agency has taken over management of Walkerton's water supply for the next few months.
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