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The City of Aberdeen is looking into what may have contaminated the drinking water in a section of town. Officials have issued a boil order after finding high levels of E. coli bacteria.
The affected area includes North Washington Street to North High Street and between 4th Avenue NE and 12th Avenue NE.
People in that area can become sick if they drink the affected water. It's especially a concern for those with weakened immune systems.
To clear drinking water of the bacteria, bring it to a boil and boil for one minute. Let it cool before drinking.
Increased runoff after heavy rains, breaks in the distribution system and failures in the water treatment process can all lead to a bacterial contamination.
The city is now looking for the source of the contamination, flushing water mains and increasing the chlorine levels in the water.
People who drink the contaminated water may become sick with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. If they persist, you should see a doctor.
Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website to learn more about disinfecting drinking water.
The red area on the map below is the area of concern in Aberdeen.
