Residents in parts of Blount County have been issued a boil water advisory following the detection of E. coli in the water supply. Specifically, those living along Mentor Road and Samples Road in the South Blount County Utility District have been affected by this precautionary measure.
The advisory came about after water samples from Samples Road tested positive for Coliform bacteria, an indication of potential pathogenic contamination. A second round of testing confirmed the presence of E. coli. In light of these findings, locals are advised "not to drink any water without boiling it first," as reported by WBIR. The South Blount County Utility District forecasts that the issue will be resolved within 36 hours.
According to a notice from the utility company, E. coli are bacteria that could indicate water contamination from human or animal waste. Their presence could lead to numerous health concerns, including "diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms," particularly threatening for the very young, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. South Blount County Utility District is recommending boiling water for at least one minute before consumption, which is necessary for activities such as drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and cooking, as detailed in an announcement obtained by WVLT.
Additional sampling is currently being undertaken by utility workers across different sites in the impacted area. The South Blount County Utility District urges any residents experiencing health symptoms to seek medical attention and advises those at increased risk to consult their healthcare providers about water usage. Updates will be issued as the situation progresses. For more information, the district has provided a contact number, 865-982-3560, which was made available in a notice shared by WATE.
