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BRIAN HEAD — Brian Head in Iron County was placed under boil order Friday after E. coli was detected in the town's water Thursday.
Residents should use bottled water or boil their water for one minute, then let it cool before using, a notice posted on the town's website reads.
Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation. Showering with regular water is fine, said Markie Adamson, guest services representative for Brian Head's Public Works.
Officials' first test indicated E. coli in the water Thursday night, but the second test only found "some contamination," but not E. coli specifically, Adamson said.
Residents will be notified when the boil order is lifted. Adamson believes it will last for the next four days. The water will be tested every 24 hours.
E. coli is bacteria that signals the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. The microbes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches and other symptoms and may pose a significant risk especially for young children and the elderly, the post states.
Authorities will chlorinate and flush the water system while attempting to discover where the bacteria originated, the town's post reads. Bacteria contamination can happen when run-off enters the drinking water source, especially during heavy rains. It may also happen because of a break in the pipes, or if the water isn't treated correctly.
