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Bethel’s Trailer Court Neighborhood Advised To Boil Water

CDC

Bethel’s Trailer Court neighborhood is being told to boil its water by the Department of Environmental Conservation before drinking it or cooking with it.

The DEC has received lab tests that indicate the presence of E. coli in the neighborhood’s water, which could indicate fecal or other harmful bacteria in the water. The water comes from a well not connected to other parts of the city.

E. Coli is a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of people and animals. Some types of the bacteria can cause intestinal infectionFor this reason, water suspected to contain E. coli should be thoroughly boiled before consumption. The water is not harmful to animals, and showering or washing with the water is fine as long as the water is not swallowed. 

The DEC hopes the notice will be lifted Friday, but it could remain in effect through the weekend. The DEC also cautions that tests can be subject to error, and there’s a good chance that this is a false alarm.