Live In Selah? Don’t Drink The Water, It Might Make You Sick

Health Alert from the Washington State Department of Health *DOH) --People living in Selah and visiting Selah need to know that the WA DOH has placed the entire City of Selah under a boil water advisory. A boil water advisory means that all City of Selah residents and businesses must boil all water to kill bacteria and other organisms in the water until a health issue is resolved and the advisory can be lifted.

E.Coli Found In Selah Water

The Health Department confirmed that E. coli was detected in one zone of the City of Selah public water system. Other water system zones may also have been impacted and as a result residents and businesses should boil their water or use bottled water until the advisory is lifted.

Anything that water touches that might be consumed or come in contact with food such as drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation are potentially at risk and require health precautions.until further notice.

System-wide Water Testing Campaign

City of Selah and WA DOH are implementing a sampling plan with the goal of further isolating the source of contamination in the public water system with the hope that the boil water advisory for the city may be lifted as soon as tomorrow, December 11, 2021, for areas that are found to not be contaminated.  An update on the sampling results will be provided on December 11, 2021.

Symptoms of E. Coli Can Vary

The world-famous Cleveland Clinic has the low down on the seriousness & symptoms of E. Coli.   People who get infections with the STEC strain of E. coli can have the following symptoms:

• Stomach pains and cramps.
• Diarrhea that may range from watery to bloody.
• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite or nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Low fever < 101 °F/ 38.5 °C (not all people have this symptom).

. People who are at the greatest risk are:

• The very young (newborns and children).
• The elderly.
• People who have weakened immune systems (for example, those with cancer, diabetes, HIV, and women who are pregnant).

Take E. Coli Seriously

Most cases of E. coli infections are mild and do not cause a serious health risk. Cases resolve on their own with rest and drinking plenty of fluids. However, some strains can cause severe symptoms and even life-threatening complications which can lead to kidney failure and death.  Please take all safety precautions.