E. coli in drinking water in Nassau

E. coli was discovered this week in water samples affecting several Nassau County communities, and tap water should be boiled before drinking, the water authority said Wednesday.

Residents in North Valley Stream, Elmont, Floral Park, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor and Garden City should boil the water before drinking or preparing food with it, according to the Water Authority of Western Nassau's website.

"Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice," said a recording on the authority's phone line, 516-327-4100.

Water authority officials declined last night to be interviewed concerning the problem, and referred all inquires to the information posted on the water authority website, www.WAWNC.org.

The website warns: "Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems."

Mary Ellen Laurain, a Nassau County Health Department spokeswoman, said Wednesday, "We haven't had any cases of E. coli [illness] as a result of this."

Laurain said that as a result of the findings, the water authority was notifying about 100,000 people by going door-to-door Wednesday to warn the public as required by state law.

The advisory to boil water will not be lifted until there are two consecutive days of testing in which the bacteria is not detected, Laurain said, so the earliest the restriction could be lifted would be Friday.

The source of the problem is not yet known, Laurain said, adding that the water authority is "required to investigate the source of the contamination."