E. coli bacteria found in water at Willi Oaks

A strain of E. coli found in the water supply at Willington Oaks apartments on Tuesday is forcing residents to get their water elsewhere.

A "small number" of students went to Student Health Services with gastrointestinal symptoms, according to Robert Miller, director of health for Eastern Highlands Health District, but the cases reported were self-limiting. Miller said it is unknown if the illnesses were caused by the contaminated water.

"It's unnerving knowing there is E. coli in the water," said Sven Englund, a 5th-semester psychology major and a resident of Willington Oaks apartments. "Water is one of the most basic things you expect your landlord to take care of."

The contamination was discovered after state-required routine water testing was conducted during the period of Aug. 1 to Aug. 30, according to Miller. Residents were notified of the results on Sept. 2. The apartments have their own water system that is not connected to any other supply in the area.

New England Realty, the company that manages the property, notified residents of the E. coli by placing a notice from Connecticut Water Company - the privately contracted company that manages the water supply at the apartments - in the doors of all tenants on Tuesday.

The notice warned tenants that the water was not safe to drink, and that they should drink bottled water or boil the water before using it. It also said that the water supply is currently being chlorinated and that retesting would occur next week to ensure water quality.

On Wednesday, New England Realty sent another precautionary notice along with two gallons of fresh water for each apartment. The notice reminded residents to take precautions for drinking, food preparation, making coffee or ice, dishwashing and maintaining oral hygiene.

By Wednesday evening, a water tank was available for residents to use to fill their jugs, according to Englund.

"The strain that's [in the water] doesn't cause disease, but it's presence suggests other disease-causing bacteria in the water," Miller said. "It could be parasites or viruses."

The type of infection associated with the bacteria would be gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, cramping, diarrhea, vomiting and sometimes fever, Miller said.

"No one I know has been bed-ridden, but my roommates have been on the toilet more often," said Matt Wilbur, a non-degree program student who lives in Willington Oaks apartments.

Alissa Dall, a 1st-year graduate student in physical therapy who also lives in the apartments, opted to take her showers at the gym for a few days after being notified of the contamination.

"I was kind of upset," Dall said. "It was a big deal and they didn't tell us what we'd be doing or how long the situation would last."

Perry Robbin, an 8th-semester journalism major, said he's been using paper plates and drinking bottled water since they were informed of the incident.

"Last year [in Willington Oaks apartments], the power was out for eight days," Robbin said. "In the spring, the septic tank broke and now there's E. coli in the water. This is a lower quality of living than I'm used to."

In June 2007, coliform - the other bacteria that is tested for in public water supplies - was found in Willington Oaks apartments' water, according to Miller. No known illness came about from the contamination.

Coliform poses less of a threat than E. coli, according to Miller, because even though coliform can be found in fecal matter, it can also be found in soil, vegetation and aquatic life.

The amount of E. coli found in the water on Tuesday is not quantified, according to Miller.

"One organism detected is treated the same as10,000 organisms," Miller said.

Miller said residents should not ingest the water, and should discard old ice cubes, wash off foods and brush their teeth with boiled or bottled water. In addition, he said young children should not bathe in the water because they are more susceptible to infection.

The Eastern Highlands Health District, New England Realty, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and New England Water Utility Services are working on assessing the infrastructure of the water system, the well sources, the distribution area, the storage facility and the watershed for contamination sources, Miller said.

New England Realty could not be reached for comment.

If residents have any questions, they can contact the Eastern Highlands Health District at 860-429-3325.