Three people have become ill in a part of north San Jose, California after E. coli bacteria was detected in the water. The San Jose Water Company has issued a “boil water” notice to residents of 300 homes in the area.
The symptoms of an E. coli infection include diarrhea, which may be watery and/or bloody, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and a mild fever. If you live in this area and have experienced these symptoms, please see a doctor immediately. An E. coli infection can lead to serious complications, including hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) that can destroy the kidneys.
The bacteria was found in a water main that services 300 homes on Lisbon Drive, Lisbon Court, Madrid Drive, Madrid Court, Sydney Drive, Sydney Court, and Rowley Drive. If your home is affected, you should have received a notice from the company about the situation.
Do not use the water for drinking, cooking, tooth brushing, ice making, or washing your hands until it has boiled for at least one minute. Let the water cool, cover, and use it until you are told the water is safe to use out of the tap.
Officials don’t know how the water became contaminated. A water main was being replaced in the area and it’s possible something happened while that job was being completed. Crews are flushing water and adding chlorine to the system. The boil water notice will be lifted when samples test negative. Officials believe that could happen tomorrow or Saturday.
