By Daily News Staff

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Three Lakes residents are being asked to boil water until further notice. Coliform bacteria was found in the water following recent routine testing, the Oneida County Health Department reported Thursday.

 According to the health department, coliform bacteria may be found when drinking water is tested. This type of bacteria lives naturally in soil and in the waste of warm-blooded animals. It can also grow as a film in water pipes. Most coliform are not harmful but the presence of coliform indicates the possible presence of other disease-causing microbes (viruses, harmful bacteria and parasites) that are often found in soil and feces.

 Although coliform bacteria are not usually harmful, illness may be caused by other microbes in the water. Typical symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea or jaundice with headaches or fatigue. 

Please note that these symptoms may be caused by factors other than unsafe water. 

If you become ill with the above symptoms during a boil water notice, you should talk to your doctor. 

Resdients are being advised to use safe water until the health department issues an “all clear” notice.

Examples of safe water include: Commercially bottled water, packaged ice from an approved source is safe, water that has been at a rolling boil for one minute. Safe water must be used for drinking, cooking, making baby formula, coffee, juices, other beverages or ice, watering pets, washing ready to eat fruits and vegetables, bathing infants, washing open wounds, or brushing teeth.

To rinse dishes, you may add one tablespoon of bleach to 2 gallons of tap water.

Do not use ice cubes from your freezer or any beverages that that were made with unsafe water.

While under the advisory, Three Lakes residents can use their tap water for bathing (except infants), showering, washing hands and washing dishes.

However, the final rinse for dishes or bathing must be with safe water.

Regular water can also be used for washing dishes in automatic dishwashers that use a heating element to dry dishes for washing cars and watering lawns. 

Elderly people, small children (including infants), and individuals who have poor immune systems due to illness should be very careful to follow all health and safety warnings during a boil water/bottled water notice. Anyone with a poor immune system, consult with your doctor for additional advice.

 For more information about safe drinking water, contact the Oneida County Health Department at 369-6111 or check the department’s website for updated information at www.co.oneida.wi.us under the public health section/hot topics

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