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Media outlets received a news release detailing the order Monday morning. According to the release, e. coli was detected during routine sampling Wednesday, and was confirmed in follow-up testing Friday evening.
The release states that “no illnesses have been reported in connection with this problem,” as of Monday morning. The system does not provide water for any off-base residents or businesses.
Personnel at the base have already been drinking bottled drinking water since 2014, when testing discovered unregulated perfluorinated compounds in the base’s drinking water.
However, personnel are now being advised not to use the base’s public water system for washing their hands, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or food preparation without bringing the water to a rolling boil and then allowing it to cool.
E. coli is a bacteria typically found in water after contamination with human or animal waste.
“Likely health impacts may cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, or headaches,” the release states.