Residents served by the Slick Public Water Supply are being advised to boil their water before use or use bottled water after E. Coli bacteria were detected in the system.
According to a drinking water warning distributed on October 3 rd , E. coli bacteria were verified in the Slick Public Water Supply. Customers are advised not to drink tap water without boiling it first. Water should be brought to a full rolling boil for at least one minute before being used for drinking, preparing food, or baby formula, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or any other activities where water could be consumed.
The notice states that E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria can indicate that water may have been contaminated with human or animal waste. Exposure can cause symptoms including diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches and may pose a greater risk to infants, young children, older adults and those with weakened immune systems.
Slick officials said they are working with the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality to address the issue and will notify customers once the problem has been corrected. The public notice explains that bacterial contamination can occur for several reasons, including increased runoff entering a drinking water source, a break in distribution lines or a failure in the treatment process.
The warning applies to customers of the Slick Public Water Supple and does not mean Bristow’s municipal water supply is contaminated. Bristow Mayor Kris Wyatt confirmed that Bristow’s water has not tested as contaminated.
Slick purchases water from the Bristow Municipal Authority and resells it through its own water system, according to Town of Slick financial records filed with the Oklahoma State Auditor and inspector. This means a contamination issue within Slick system does not necessarily indicate a problem with Bristow’s system.
Slick customers should continue following the boil-water instructions until officials announce that the water is safe for normal use.