E. coli found in sample from EPWater well
Published on January 17, 2025
Well not currently in use for water distribution; all water is safe to drink
EL PASO – Results of a routine water sample at an EPWater well that is not currently in use tested positive for E. coli on Jan. 15. Per Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations, raw groundwater samples are regularly taken prior to the disinfection process.
Raw groundwater is water taken directly from the ground that has not gone through the treatment process.
Utility officials confirm the well, located on Coolidge Way and south of Interstate 10, had been out of service since mid-December and was only turned on this week for sampling purposes. The well is not used continuously and was in operation for a few months last year while the utility completes an ongoing rehabilitation project at a nearby reservoir.
Please note: This is not the same well where a sample tested positive in November 2024.
“We want to remind customers that our water is safe to drink,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Chief Water Quality Compliance Officer. “It is standard practice that the water pumped is chlorinated before it enters the distribution system.”
EPWater has taken the well offline to undergo disinfection for 24 hours and will be tested again. The utility has an estimated 157 wells throughout the city and performs monthly tests of every well to assure water quality.
Because it is raw groundwater that is not disinfected and treated, this event does not require a boil water notice. The utility is following TCEQ protocol to correct the issue and to provide public notification of information on E. coli as described below.
Important information about your drinking water
E. coli bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for infants, young children and people with weakened immune systems.
What should I do? What does this mean?
Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
The symptoms above are not only caused by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. Those with an increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
Corrective action: The affected well will remain offline to begin the disinfection process and will be retested next week.
For more information, please contact Ruben Rodriguez at 915 594-5772 or rrodriguez@epwater.org. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
