Bacteria Turns Up In Green Ferry Water

Customers of the Green Ferry Water and Sewer District are being urged to boil drinking water, in order to reduce their risk of illness since bacteria were discovered in the water supply.

While the coliform bacteria found in tests are harmless, they could indicate that disease-causing bacteria are also present, said Tony Davis of the Idaho Division of Environmental Quality.

The bacteria were found on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28 in water sampled at two different homes, he said.

“It’s very unusual find it in aquifer water,” Davis said. “Most of the incidents we deal with are caused by problems in the distribution system, such as a cracked reservoir room … or broken water main.”

The water has since been treated with chlorine. Residents will be notified when tests show that the problem is over.

The district has 280 customers along the south side of the Spokane River in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene, said manager Jane Parks.

, DataTimes