Coos Health &
Wellness is issuing a public health advisory for Arago drinking water. Testing has shown the presence of E. coli
bacteria in the shallow ground water used by some residents in the
community. Lab results were confirmed on
Tuesday February 2. This is a public
health concern as the presence of the E. coli bacteria indicates that the water
may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can
cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headache or other symptoms.
Public Health
officials advise continuous disinfection is a safe long-term approach for any
resident using the shallow aquifer.
Proper use of ozone, chlorine and some ultraviolet lights are examples
of disinfection that can make the water safe from E. coli. A resident without a properly maintained
disinfection system is advised to obtain bottled water. Boiling water will also destroy E. coli, but
because boiling increases the concentration of nitrate, it should not be used
by pregnant women or in infant formula as past test results have shown high
nitrate levels in the area ground water.
Arago is an
unincorporated area in Coos County between Coquille and Myrtle Point. The geology and flat terrain near the Coquille River provides a shallow aquifer shared by many
residents using private wells.
Contamination to such an aquifer can occur with increased run-off
following heavy rain or when home septic systems become immersed.
Water analyzed this
week included raw water samples collected from the Arago Community Church well.
Testing the water before it has received any treatment is a public water
system requirement to determine the need of disinfection. Although the church uses bottled water to
assure safety and also provides disinfection church leaders have been anxious
to assure community members were aware of the E. coli found in the shared
aquifer.
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