Grand Canyon National Park puts out boil water notice after E. coli presence

The Grand Canyon National Park warned about the presence of E. coli in its water system on Friday and put out a boil water notice for visitors and residents near Phantom Ranch.

The E. coli bacteria was found Friday in the immediate area of Phantom Ranch lodging, on the Grand Canyon's southern end, according to an alert sent out that same day. No other area is impacted, the park noted.

The presence of E. coli denotes human or animal waste has contaminated the water, the park said, adding in a statement that, "these bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems."

The park listed diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms as coming from these waste microbes. The most vulnerable are infants, young children and those with severely compromised immune systems, the park warned.

Before drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation, water needs to be boiled in order to kill the bacteria, the park advised. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute per 1000-feet elevation, with it cooling down before being used, the park said. Bottled water is another option, the park added.

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Though the source of the E. coli is not currently known, the park did explain bacterial contamination occurs when increased run-off enters a drinking water source like with heavy rains. Other possible sources for contamination include a break in pipes or water treatment process failings.

The park's Roaring Springs Water System adjusted its controls and restarted the chlorination process, along with increasing sampling for coliform bacteria to get to the contamination's source, the park's alert detailed. When testing showed no related bacteria, the park said it would end the boil water notice.

The park is urging the dissemination of this notice in public places or by mail or in-person distribution to those who may not have received it directly like apartment tenants, nursing home residents, schools and businesses.

More information is available at 970-786-0512. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 has general guidelines on lessening the risk of microbial infection.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grand Canyon officials warn of E. coli in water near Phantom Ranch