Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, rescinded a boil water notice placed on the Long Neck Water District after tests determined the presence of E. coli bacteria and a high coliform count was isolated rather than system-wide.

The public notice on Friday, July 30, affected the district’s nearly 4,110 households.

The notice was lifted after samples taken of Long Neck’s drinking water supply on July 30 and Aug. 2 complied with public drinking water regulations, which DPH enforces.

The distribution system was properly disinfected and flushed, said DPH Director Jaime H. Rivera, MD, FAAP.

On July 30, Long Neck Water District customers were advised to boil their water before drinking, food preparation, making ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes due to both a high coliform count and E. coli bacteria.

Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. 

DPH’s investigation determined that Long Neck’s bacterial problem was not a widespread water distribution system problem but an isolated incident. DPH continues its investigation to determine the cause of the problem.  
 

For more information, please contact Jim Mooney of the Long Neck Water District at 302-947-9600, or the Office of Drinking Water at 302-739-5410.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791.