Intestinal bacteria in tap water in Erfurt

Coli bacteria in the Erfurt drinking water

07/11/2012

During a routine check intestinal germs in drinking water were determined at the transfer point of the long-distance water in the supply area of ​​the Thüringen Wasser GmbH. The intestinal bacteria can lead to dangerous diarrheal diseases, which is why citizens of the regions of Erfurt and Sömmerda are called on to boil tap water for at least five minutes before use. After bottlenecks in bottled water, several supermarket chains have announced that they will replenish their water supplies immediately „to ensure adequate provision.“

Intestinal bacteria in drinking water
As the health authority Erfurt explained, „were detected in routine quality controls at the transfer points of the remote water coli bacteria.“ Therefore, the responsible health authorities call for this, „to boil the drinking water throughout the supply area“. For the citizens of the city of Erfurt, the districts Sömmerda, Gotha, Henschleben, Döllstädt and Wandersleben this means to use the drinking water until revoked only when boiled for the preparation of food and drink. This should be „The tap water is boiled for at least 5 minutes in the bubbling state.“ A total of 230,000 people are affected in the region.

As emphasized by the health department, it is the one issued „Abkochgebot“ a precautionary measure. On Monday several samples of the drinking water with intestinal germs had been tested positive. Although the burden was rather low, „However, for Colibacteria, a zero value is required in drinking water, "said the Stadtwerke spokeswoman.To solve the problem, the water supplier has increased the chlorine dosage for drinking water disinfection.This was done in coordination with the health authorities.This is to kill the bacteria According to the Stadtwerke spokeswoman, however, this measure can lead to odor impairments of the water.

Expert: No need to panic
In the opinion of Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Pletz from the University Hospital Jena, the germs in tap water should not be cause for panic. The intestinal bacteria are present in all humans in their natural form. Only in high concentration can typical diarrheal diseases arise. "At the calculated value of 10 coli bacteria per 100 milliliters, a healthy person would need to drink 1000 liters to reach the level of a health-endangering dose“, explained the expert in infectiology. However, immunocompromised and old people should be careful.

An infection with intestinal germs by contaminated food is quite low in Germany, so Pletz. Drinking water from the aqueduct should not contain any coliform bacteria, as it can be an indicator that other dangerous intestinal bacteria are present. If the water is boiled for five minutes, as advised by the authorities, there is hardly any danger. In addition, adding chlorine is probably enough to kill the bacteria, says the doctor.

For showering and washing no precaution necessary
For showering or bathing, the water can continue to be used without further care, as long as the water is not drunk or sores. This also applies to the „Use of dishwashers or washing machines“. Here there is no restriction on the water from the drinking water network. „For cleaning purposes, flushing the toilet, pet and livestock, no boil is required.“ However, if the water is used to clean food containers, boards, fruits and vegetables, it should be boiled. This also applies to any food preparation where the water is needed to wash fruit, for example.

Nausea, diarrhea and fever
„The E. coli bacteria per se are harmless. They also occur in our digestive tract. However, they could be a sign of contamination“, explained Sandra Kühn from Thüringen-Wasser GmbH. If the bacteria are taken in higher doses through food or water, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fever and diarrhea may occur. Special care should be taken in people with ailing health, the elderly, children and infants. Therefore, only cooked water should be used when preparing food.

Special citizen telephone switched
The information telephone of the water supplier was at times heavily overloaded due to the numerous citizen inquiries. For this reason, the Health Department Erfurt has now set up an information hotline, which can be reached under the number 0361/6554220.

Cause still largely unknown
The exact cause of the bacterial contamination has not yet been found. However, the Thuringian long-distance water supply works to determine the cause as quickly as possible and to remedy. „For the safety of the customers, additional water samples are taken and examined at all remote water transfer points, the high tanks of ThüWa, in consultation with the health authority“, said a spokeswoman for the health department. In addition, further water samples are taken in hospitals, old people's homes, dialysis centers and day-care centers. These are currently being examined by the Water Laboratory of the Thuringian State Office for Food Safety and Consumer Protection. The authorities are expecting first findings on Thursday around 18.00 clock.

Supermarkets order more bottled water
Meanwhile, supermarket chains have replenished their water supplies. On Monday and Tuesday it came to smaller bottlenecks. „We also did not know about the water pollution until Monday“, explained the tegut chain. Special deliveries are currently in progress to sell enough bottled water in larger quantities. Some coffee shops and restaurants are currently not offering coffee, as the coffee machines are directly connected to tap water.

The requirement of boiling water exists until further notice and at least until Thursday evening. The authorities will „inform immediately, as soon as the water can be used again untreated and unrestricted.“ All citizens are called upon to inform their neighbors about the contamination of the water, so that they too can take precautionary measures. (Sb)

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Picture: Lupo