UPDATE: (WBIR) – Tests performed by the Tennessee Department of Health thus far indicate contamination of E. coli and total coliforms were found in the well water believed to be linked to hundreds of cases of gastrointestinal illness reported at a Gatlinburg outdoor attraction this week.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, more than 500 cases of gastrointestinal illness were reported at CLIMB Works Zipline Canopy Tour in Gatlinburg since mid-June of 2018.
The state said while the investigation is ongoing, routine testing done on the well water were indicative of contamination for E. coli and it plans to do more testing on environmental sampling to support the investigation.
The facility was closed temporarily but resumed routine operations as they receive consultation from local health authorities.
"There is ongoing communication with the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regarding future use of the well-water system," the department said.
In a post in reply to a review from a guest that complained of illness on Saturday, CLIMB Works said its water tests came back within safe conditions.
Dr. Shawn Hawkins, a professor of biosystems engineering at UT, says there are likely two ways well water can be contaminated with E. coli: contaminated surface water or a septic system leak.
The symptoms set in on the last day of the trip, and they had to stop in Birmingham to recoup.
"I can’t complain, we still had an enjoyable trip up until that point," Mary Basco-Naquin said.
The health department says the respondents visited CLIMB Works between mid-June and early July and are in multiple states.