The municipal water supply of Alamosa has been tainted by samonella bacteria, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said today.
Alamosa residents were advised to stop using tap water for drinking and cooking and use bottled water instead, according to a public health advisory.
At least 33 cases of salmonella poisoning have been linked to contamination in the city’s municipal water system.
Salmonella bacteria may cause diarrhea, bloody diarrhea or diarrhea with fevers for two days or more.
Most people recover without medical treatment, according to the health department, but some patients may become ill enough to require hospitalization.
Until sufficient bottled water is available in the city, drinking water may be boiled — for at least 15 seconds — before use, the agency said.
Alamosa’s municipal water system will be flushed and officials will notify the public when it is again safe to drink and cook with tap water.
To flush and disinfect the system may take a week or longer, officials said.
For more information about salmonella, please call the Colorado Help line at 1-877-462-2911.
State officials offered the following guidance during the bottled water order:
SOURCE: Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment
