What you need to know about Baltimore's Boil Water Advisory
BALTIMORE -- Thousands of residents in parts of Baltimore and Baltimore County were placed under a Boil Water Advisory after E. coli was detected in water samples last week. On the fifth day of the advisory, it ended.
The Baltimore Department of Public Works issued the advisory Monday after the bacteria was identified in water samples taken in several West Baltimore buildings.
DPW said the contamination was found during routine testing at a firehouse, police facilities, and an auto shop in the 9th District, which includes the Sandtown-Winchester and Harlem Park neighborhoods. No illnesses have been reported.
The area immediately surrounding the firehouse was put under Boil Water Advisory while parts of the city south and southwest, along with part of the county, were placed under a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory.
On Wednesday night, the precautionary advisory was lifted for parts of the city and Baltimore County. The advisory ended completely Friday.
The Baltimore Department of Public Works received clearance by the Maryland Department of the Environment to end the advisory based on water sampling results received Thursday night.
Officials said residents should "flush" water from their homes after a Boil Water Advisory. Click here for the steps you need to take now.
Here's what you need to know about the water supply contamination:
Where was the advisory in effect?
The advisory was is in effect for areas of West Baltimore within the following boundaries: Riggs Avenue to W. Franklin Street from north to south and Carey Street to Pulaski Street from east to west. The radius includes about 1,500 residential and commercial buildings.
The advisory for this area ended Friday.
From Monday to Wednesday evening, a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory was in effect for locations east of the impacted area, into communities such as Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill; west of the impacted area, into neighborhoods such as Mosher and Rosemont; and southwest through Violetville and Morrell Park into parts of Baltimore County, such as Arbutus, Halethorpe and Lansdowne.
An earlier version of the DPW's announcement included some locations of Anne Arundel County, but the Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works clarified the jurisdiction no longer purchases water from the city.
What do I do if I'm under the advisory?
First, get rid of any stored water, drinks or ice that was made recently. Avoid drinking or using any unboiled water from the tap during the duration of the advisory.
If you need to use the tap, water should be brought to a "rolling boil" for at least one minute to kill any bacteria. Boiling water will make it safe for the following activities: drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing baby food and formula, making ice, giving to pets, washing dishes, and preparing food.
It's safe to shower at this time as long as you don't ingest the water, officials said.
Starting at 9 a.m., the city is distributing water at three locations as of Thursday: Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School (1401 W. Lafayette Ave.), Middle Branch Park (3301 Waterview Ave.) and Lansdowne Library (500 3rd Ave.). There is a limit of three gallons per household.
A donation from Nestle and assistance from agencies and organizations across the region will allow the city to set up other locations.
"We're going to provide as much water as humanly possible," Mayor Brandon Scott said Monday.
What's being done about it?
The DPW said it is working actively to determine the extent of the issue, identify the source and resume the delivery of clean water.
The investigation into the cause of the contamination remains unresolved, even after the advisory was lifted.
The agency is working to detect any leaks in the impacted area and identify construction projects that may have affected the water system, said DPW Director Jason Mitchell.
DPW officials said they are confident the contamination has nothing to do with its three water treatment plants. A spokesperson said water at the plants is tested every two hours and samples have met clean water standards.
Meantime, the DPW flushed the system continuously to introduce turnover and increasing the chlorination in the area, along with other treatment methods.
The Maryland Department of the Environment is providing technical assistance to crews.
"MDE has a team of engineers onsite in the affected community inspecting the distribution system, treatment systems, pumping facilities, and other infrastructure," the agency said in a news release. "In the coming days, MDE will also begin inspections at certain treatment facilities."
Mayor Scott announced Wednesday that next cycle's water bill will be slashed by 25% for everyone in the city.
What if I get sick?
Even though the advisory was lifted, Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa said residents should monitor for any symptoms. That's because symptoms can occur up to a week from exposure.
According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, E. coli is a group of bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. The agency said most E. coli are harmless, but others can make you sick.
Some strains can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, pneumonia, and other illnesses.
The Baltimore City Health Department said anyone who's been exposed to the contaminated water should monitor for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Adults should seek medical care if they cannot keep liquids down for 24 hours, are vomiting blood, have blood in their stool, are experiencing severe stomach pain, have a fever above 104 degrees, or are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea for more than two days, the health department said.
For infants and children, parents should call a healthcare provider if their child has a fever above 102 degrees, has bloody diarrhea, is in a lot of pain, seems dehydrated, or is very tired and irritable, the agency said.
Health Commissioner Letitia Dzirasa announced there were two possible E. coli infections being investigated.
The first case investigated was of a minor whose guardian reported they had stomach issues that began August 30. Dzirasa said those symptoms self-resolved, and that there was no conclusive link to contaminated water.
A second patient is currently hospitalized who tested positive for E. coli bacteremia, Dzirasa said, but that a definitive link to contaminated water hasn't been found.
"I want to reiterate that the most common cause of stomach bugs are actually viruses," she said. "Therefore further examination is needed to determine if a patient's gastrointestinal symptoms are caused by E. coli bacteria that normally occurs in our gut."