E. coli contaminates water in St. Ignatius

ST. IGNATIUS - Based on two positive E. coli samples collected from one of the town's two wells on July 19 and 21, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Boil Water Order for the town of St. Ignatius' public water supply on July 21. The order requires residents and businesses in St. Ignatius to drink bottled water or boil water before consumption.

While the E. coli bacteria were first discovered during a routine test of the July 19 sample, the town was not alerted to this problem until late in the day on July 21. By noon on the 22nd, the town's wells were being chlorinated, Leann Gottfried, Town of St. Ignatius clerk, said.

Town officials will continue to test the town's wells. Initial tests from private wells and the town's other well all came back clean, Gottfried said. If tests of the contaminated well scheduled for Thursday and Monday come back negative and the chlorine residual is at the correct level, DEQ may downgrade the Boil Order to a Health Advisory on Tuesday.

"The source of the problem is one of the wells across from Taelman Park," she said. "It appears, thus far, there is a problem with the tribal sewer system, which is only about 40 feet from the contaminated well."

According to Susan Brueggeman, Director of the Lake County Environmental Health Department, "The tribal sewer line in this area did experience a backup that was resolved, I believe, on July 21. It is unclear at this time if the two incidents are related, but there is potential since the city well is quite shallow and in alluvial [loose, unconsolidated] material."

The usual separation distance between public well and sewer line is a minimum of 100 feet, Bruggeman said in a July 27 letter to the town. There is the likelihood this matter will be further considered by the town, DEQ, the tribes, and EPA, she said.

The DEQ requires the town to formally respond within 30 days of their plan and schedule for ground water corrective action. Three options provided by the EPA are: full-time chlorination, replacement of the well, or elimination of the source of contamination. Actions must be completed or in approved progress within 120 days (by Nov. 23). The town of St. Ignatius will discuss options during their regular town council meeting on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.

For further information contact the town offices, 745-3791, the Lake County Environmental Health Department, 883-7236, or the various tribal health offices. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791

For updates, check www.leaderadvertiser.com and pick up the next issue of the Lake County Leader.