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Artesia samples testing negative for E. coli, boil alert still in effect

Carlsbad Current-Argus - 7/22/2017

July 21--Water samples sent by Artesia to a lab on Wednesday came back clean for the first time since a boil-water advisory was placed upon the city July 15 by the state amid an E. coli outbreak.

Ten samples collected from wells and water lines throughout the city all tested negative for traces of the potentially fatal bacteria.

No amount of E. coli in drinking water is considered safe by the New Mexico Environment Department, the agency that implemented the advisory and is overseeing the testing.

NMED's Drinking Water Bureau requires two days of clean samples before lifting the alert can be considered.

The negative results come days after the city began flushing its water mains and pumping chlorine into the city's water supply in hopes of killing the bacteria.

"This is the first firm indication that the treatment which has been taking place is having the desired effect on the water system," read a Thursday night statement from the City of Artesia.

The city's water storage tanks were all tested, and came back without any indication of contamination, read the release.

Test results received on Tuesday showed two of five samples testing positive, and Wednesday saw three of 10 samples contaminated.

Keep boiling

But in the meantime, Burch said, the boil-water advisory will continue "in force."

"We're hopeful those test will be negative and the state will rescind its order," Burch said. "The frustrating part is when you pull samples, you have to wait 24 hours."

Any resident supplied water by Artesia's municipal system, including residents of the Morningside community north of the city and several homes and businesses residing just outside Artesia's southern city limits, must boil all water that is to be consumed.

Water must be boiled for at least one minute.

Residents are safe to use non-boiled water to clean clothes, bathe or any activity where the water is not ingested.

Those bathing in it must keep any large cuts or skin breaks covered to avoid infection.

Symptoms of E. coli poisoning can include dizziness, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea that can become bloody.

Without a water treatment or disinfection facility, Artesia was particularly susceptible to contamination, said NMED Water Division Director Bruce Yurdin.

Yurdin said the state agency will be in talks with the city to implement such processes to prevent future problems.

"We need to consider disinfection," he said. "That will be the top of our discussions with (Artesia.)"

Burch said creating a treatment facility in Artesia could be considered in the future, but is not currently in the works.

"At this point, we're dealing with the problem at hand, and trying to get back to normal," Burch said. "We will be considering (treating water) down the road."

In the meantime, the city is in constant communication with NMED, Burch said, while both agencies hope for clean tests.

"With what we've done with flushing and chlorine, we're confident the next results will be the same," he said. "We're hopeful."

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

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