Sunday, March 17, 2013
'Superbug' alert is sounded - LancasterOnline
Saturday, March 16, 2013
On the subject of security . . .
Friday, March 15, 2013
Drinking Water Problem Corrected
http://www.columbiawaterco.com/emergency-notice.php
Columbia schools closed as investigation of water-plant break-in continues - LancasterOnline
Updated Mar 15, 2013 12:11
Columbia Borough School District was closed Friday while the state continued testing the community water supply for possible contaminants.
A "Do Not Consume" order issued to about 8,700 customers after a break-in at a water plant overnight Wednesday remains in effect.
The school was closed as a precaution, said Jeff Helm, health officer and zoning and planning officer for the borough.
Helm said he advised school district Superintendent Barry Clippinger Thursday night that water fountains would be off limits and food workers would have to use bottled water if the schools stayed open.
"Hand washing at this point," Helm added, "it's all questionable."
Helm said Friday morning that the state Department of Environmental Protection was checking for a wide array of potential foreign substances.
It could get worse
Let's hope not, but here's an update from ABC 27 News.
(The link to the original article, which has more information, is at the bottom of this post.)
We've heard the bad news, now here's the (potential) worse news:
If the water is found to have been contaminated, the tanks will need to be sterilized or replaced, which could take several more days if not weeks.
Columbia Borough schools were closed Friday in light of the advisory.
While the advisory is in effect, the company is providing tankers of water, which are stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. Residents will need to bring their own containers to carry water.
Tap water should not be used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene, or for pets until further notice, officials said. If ice cubes were made with tap water before 3:30 p.m. on March 13 they should be thrown away.
The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing but not for washing dishes.