Aurora, Ill., Boil Order Continues

Aurora, Ill., officials are advising residents to continue to boil water before using it at least through Tuesday, after tests taken yesterday showed the city's water system is still contaminated. Goose feces may be cause.

Officials believe a reservoir near Aurora's water treatment plant may be the source of the contamination, said Bill Catching, a city spokesman. Geese flock to the Clearwell Reservoir, and their droppings may have contributed to the presence of fecal coliform bacteria, specifically E. coli, found Friday at a testing site and confirmed in subsequent tests on Saturday and Sunday.

Aurora "believes city water does not present a serious health hazard, we continue to advise our residents to boil their water for five minutes before drinking, making ice cubes, washing foods, brushing teeth or any other activity involving human consumption," according to the city's website.

To combat the contamination, the city shut down the reservoir and increased the amount of chlorine in its water. The boil order will not be lifted until tests show no total coliform bacteria for two consecutive days.

Source: Chicago Tribune