MARBLE HILL WATER SAFE, OFFICIAL SAYS

MARBLE HILL -- The water flowing from faucets in Marble Hill is safe to drink. That assurance comes from Marble Hill's administrative assistant, David Jackson.

Residents received letters from the city last week notifying them of problems the water system experienced in October and November.

Among the problems stated in the two letters was evidence of E. coli bacteria in Marble Hill's south (or ward I) water supply.

E. coli is a bacteria present in the intestines but when a certain amount is found in drinking water its presence indicates fecal pollution that can cause diarrhea.

The mention of E. coli bacteria startled some residents because of the January 1993 highly publicized deaths of five Washington state children after being exposed to the bacteria in Jack-N-the-box hamburgers. The contaminated burgers also left 500 others ill in the Pacific Northwest.

"It wasn't ever anything dangerous," Jackson said. "But we were required by law to send the letters out."

Many strands of E. coli bacteria exist. The amount bacteria found in Marble Hill's water was small, but higher than the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' guidelines.

"We considered it a serious situation," Jackson said, "but not dangerous."

Because of slightly higher than normal bacteria levels during two testing periods, DNR requires the city to notify residents by letter within 45 days of the violations, or elevated bacteria tests, he said.

"The letters look scarier than this really was," he said.

Jackson said residents were notified of a boil-water order for four days in November when the E. coli bacteria was discovered. The city frequently tests the water and discovered the bacteria while repairing a water main.

Because the discovery of E. coli was the second "violation" within a year, the city had to notify residents. Marble Hill's water had higher levels of another bacteria during routine testing in late October.

"That happens every year about the same time," Jackson said. "We think with the change of temperature, the tank's water turns over and the stuff floating on the top goes to the bottom."

He said by treating the water supply with chlorine the bacteria problem was resolved.

Jackson also said the city soon will avoid similar bacteria problems thanks to a water pretreatment system being installed next year. The city currently treats the water after being stored in the tower that has contributed to the presence of bacteria.

He said the new water treatment system was designed after Marble Hill received a $300,000 grant from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. In addition to avoiding some bacteria problems, Jackson said the new system will make the water taste better.

The system is expected to be operational by late summer.