Portland has issued a boil water notice for the westside.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

So much for keeping the house cool today... I'm on my second batch of water and the kitchen is a sauuunnaa


http://www.portlandoregon.gov/water/59137

The Portland Water Bureau issued a ‘Boil Water Notice’ on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Customers of the Portland Water Bureau west of the Willamette River are affected. Customers of Burlington Water District, Valley View Water District, Palatine Hills Water District, City of Tigard, Lake Grove Water District, and West Slope Water District are also affected.

Customers of Tualatin Valley Water District, Southwood Water District, and Raleigh Hills Water District are not affected.

A routine sample was collected July 19, 2012, at the outlet of Reservoir 3 in Washington Park. Results received early Friday July 20 showed possible bacterial contamination. The reservoir was shut-off and follow-up samples were collected immediately. Results of these samples were available this morning. One of the follow-up samples tested positive for bacteria, the presence of which indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.

All tap water within the defined area used for drinking, food preparation, and ice should be boiled at a full rolling boil for at least one minute. Ice or any beverages prepared with tap water after Thursday, July 19 should be discarded. The bacteria found were total coliforms and E.coli. These bacteria are found in the human digestive system and very few strains cause serious disease and illness. Although the specific strain of E. coli is not known, generally the worst strains that are associated with serious illness are rarely found in water supplies.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has set an enforceable drinking water standard for total coliforms to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. Under this standard, all drinking water must be free of these bacteria.

The Boil Water Notice is in effect immediately and customers will be notified when they no longer have to boil their water.

Portland Water Bureau customers can now access an interactive map to determine if their residence or business is in the Boil Water Notice area.

For more information, contact the Portland Water Bureau at 503-823-7770.

[BlueToTheBone]

1. kicking for exposure

:kick:

[OR Ruminator]

2. bottled water

Our local store was sold out of bottled water (including "baby water&quot three hours after the alert (which, in addition to being on the news, was phoned to our home very efficiently, although why do they use artificial robotic computer voices to give the phone announcement? Couldn't they just record a real human?).

But, generic seltzer water is on sale, and actually cheaper than the bottled water! We may be rinsing our dishes in carbonated water for a bit.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. takes less time to boil a pot of water than to go to the store

and it's cheaper

We never did get a phone call, didn't get one during the test last month either

[Trajan]

3. Duly noted ...

Hey Miss B ... How are ye? ....

The Brewer's festival is drawing nigh ... Maybe we need to just drink beer until all is safe again ? ...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. hi G!

#boilwaterpdx was the twitter hashtag.. I think I like #drinkbeerpdx better

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. Order Lifted - morning tests are clean. run ALL taps for 2 minutes to clear plumbing. nt

[Thor_MN]

7. "The bacteria found were total coliforms and E.coli."

The lack of science knowledge in a story involving science is inexcusable. The quote above is the equivalent of "The vehicles found at the accident scene were automobiles and Fords." Total Coliform is not not a bacteria, it is a test that responds to all coliforms bacteria, which includes E. Coli. So there was a positive result for a non-specific test for Coliform bacteria and a positve result for a more specific test for E. coli.