EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — E. coli was found in a raw groundwater sample that was taken from a well in East El Paso, according to the news release by El Paso Water on Thursday, Nov. 6.
The detection was discovered during routine water quality testing mandated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The sample was collected before the water went through the disinfection process and entered the water distribution system, according to the news release.
The well is located at 95 Walter Jones Boulevard and serves customers in East El Paso. EPWater officials said they immediately took action by taking the well out of service and disinfecting it the same day.
Additionally, EPWater said this type of detection is rare.
EPWater reassured customers that this event does not require a boil water notice and the water is safe to drink.
“As a standard practice, the water pumped from this well is chlorinated at the Montana reservoir before it enters the distribution system. EPWater monitored chlorine levels at the reservoir and levels are within TCEQ guidelines for safe drinking water,” read the news release.
People who contract E. coli can experience symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and more. If you have any of these symptoms and they continue, consider seeking medical advice.
When the disinfection process is finished, the well will be sampled to “ensure the issue has been resolved,” EPWater said.
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