Water Warning: Denver, Colorado - March 2008

ALAMOSA, Colo. -- A suspected salmonella outbreak in the water has left more than 100 people sick in Alamosa. Forty-seven people have confirmed cases of salmonella, and another 76 people with symptoms are awaiting the results of clinical tests. Five people remain hospitalized.

Officials say tap water has tested positive for a bacteria believed to be salmonella. Officials don't know the source of the contamination and that could take days, even weeks, to find out.

Residents of Alamosa have been told to use bottled water for drinking, brushing their teeth and cooking. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an emergency bottled water advisory on Wednesday and said boiling water will be sufficient protection until the system is flushed.

The Office of Emergency Management has been called in to resolve Alamosa's water issues. It is the largest case the agency has been involved in this year, a spokesman said.

"Well, so far we've got a lot of donations. But what we don't know is how long it's really going to take to install the purification system, to flush the system and then validate that the water is clean," said Hans Kallam, director of the State Division of Emergency Management.

The Emergency Operations Center in Centennial was activated at 7 a.m. Thursday to help coordinate the response, concentrated now on getting clean water to Alamosa.

"And so far today, my last count was 45 businesses that have been pushing or offering up water resources," Kallam said.

The EOC was at a Level Two response on a five-point scale with Level One being an imminent, disaster situation.

Free bottled water is being distributed at Alamosa's Safeway, Costco and Neslie Waters. Officials are expecting semitrailers full of bottled water to unload at the sites every day until the crisis is over.

Alamosa plans to start flushing and disinfecting the city's water system in the next few days. The process could take a week or more, and the water must be tested again to be deemed safe.

"It is important that all levels of the government work together to ensure that the people of Alamosa are guaranteed safe drinking water," said state Rep. Rafael Gallegos.

Residents served by the Price East Alamosa drinking water system that is served by the Alamosa's municipal water system are also advised to drink bottled water.

A spokesman for the State Health Department said Alamosa has never chlorinated its water supply. Reached after-hours Thursday, that spokesperson was unsure when Colorado last faced a salmonella outbreak tied to drinking water but did cite similar problems in California in the 1960s.

Alamosa will have to install a purification system once this immediate threat has passed, said Kallam.

Denver's Water Department is assisting with a plan to flush the water system in Alamosa and released this statement:

"Denver Water's treatment process includes a chlorine-based disinfection process at the treatment plants, as well as disinfection monitoring throughout the distribution system. Our disinfection processes are designed to eliminate any threat of bacterial contamination," said Stacy Chesney from Denver Water Media Relations.

Salmonella is a common bacteria that can cause serious illness. It often comes from contaminated food, but can come from contaminated water.

Individuals experiencing diarrhea for two days or more, bloody diarrhea, diarrhea with fever, stomach pain or other concerns, should call their doctor. Salmonella symptoms usually begin about one to three days after exposure and usually last four to seven days, health officials said.

Most people will recover without medical treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person may be ill enough to require hospitalization.

The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems may have a more severe illness. In these patients, the infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites, and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.

Information about salmonella is available at the CO-HELP line 1-877-462-2911.

"I am very troubled by the drinking water situation in Alamosa. The risk that a possible contamination is currently imposing on the health and well-being of thousands of residents is worrisome. I will do whatever I can at the federal level working with state and local authorities to get to the bottom of this, ensuring that residents have access to the care they may need and restoring safe drinking water to the Alamosa community as quickly as possible," Sen. Ken Salazar said in a statement.

As part of the bottled water order, restaurants are urged to serve bottled water and use ice made from either bottled water or purchased from an ice supplier. Use of food and beverage equipment directly connected to the public water source is discouraged.

Residents with any questions about the bottled water order can call the Department of Public Health and Environment at 1-877-462-2911 or go to CityofAlamosa.org.

Under the bottled water order:

At home, use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing dishes and for adding to any food especially for the preparation of baby formula.

Home-style/domestic dishwashing machines are adequate for sanitizing if the heat drying cycle is applied.

Bathing and showering in the water should present no problems for healthy individuals. Exercise caution not to ingest water during such activities.

No commercial food preparation should be done unless approved by the local public health agency.

Consider using prepared food from an alternative approved source.

Use only prepackaged foods that do not require any additional preparation other than heating in its original container.

Frequently wash hands and apply hand sanitizer after washing.

Do not touch food with bare hands. Use disposable gloves.

Use frozen/canned produce.

PPurchase packaged potable ice.

Do not use water to wash plates, cups and utensils. Use only single-service utensils, such as paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic spoons, forks and knives.

Additional Resources:

• Information about salmonella is available at the CO-HELP line 1-877-462-2911.
• Alamosa residents with any questions about the bottled water order can call the Department of Public Health and Environment at 1-877-462-2911 or go to CityofAlamosa.org.