Ephrata Residents Told To Boil Water

Health officials were urging residents to boil their drinking water after a test detected contamination in the city’s domestic water system.

The warning was issued Tuesday after one of six water samples tested positive for coliform contamination, Public Works Director Wayne Hampton said. The source of the contamination was unknown.

Coliform indicate the presence of other bacteria which may cause problems such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, fatigue and possibly jaundice.

City crews began treating the water system with chlorine after the contamination was detected, Hampton said. The water system will be tested again later this week.