by Larry D. Curtis, originally posted on December 23, 2017

(KUTV) Lindon City detected E.coli and issued a boil order for all water in the city Friday afternoon.

The order says until further notice, to boil tap water before consuming it. The city advises using boiled or bottled water for all drinking and cooking.

“The city’s water department received lab tests that detected a fecal coliform, or E.coli bacteria, that could cause stomach or intestinal illness,” the advisory said.

It recommended bringing water to a boil and let it boil for one minute before letting it cool and using it. Such water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.

The fecal coliform means the water could be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in the waste can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. Infants, young children and the elderly or people with compromised immune systems are at highest risk from the possibly contaminated water.

The notice said contamination can occur when increased fun-off enters the drinking water system or because of a break in the pipes in the distribution system or a failure at the water treatment plant. Lindon City said it is actively searching for potential sources of the contamination.

The water system will be flushed and chlorinated. State agencies are assisting to resolve the issue. Further water samples are being taken and will take 24 hours to be completed. Lindon City said it would let citizens know when they no longer need to boil water.