A rupture in a large diameter drinking water pipe occurred during the night from Saturday to Sunday, around 3:45 a.m., below Lagrange Park.
The SIG specifies that a “major leak caused a depression in the network and could have caused the aspiration of external elements into the drinking water pipes of nine municipalities”. Bacteria present in the air could have contaminated the water, explained Frédéric Schulz, responsible for drinking water at SIG, during a press briefing late in the afternoon.
These are Thônex, Vandoeuvre, Choulex, Corsier, Collonge-Bellerive, Hermance, Anières, Puplinge and Cologny. 40,000 people are affected. The water there is unfit for consumption.
Bacteriological analyzes are underway. The first results will be available Monday morning, but the full results will not be known for three days.
In the meantime, as a precautionary measure, the SIG recommends:
➔ if the water has an abnormal appearance or discoloration:
do not use it at all.
➔ if the water is transparent:
do not drink tap water or give it to animals;
do not use it to wash food;
the water can be used for showering and washing;
do not use water for brushing your teeth.
On the other hand, boiled water can be consumed and used normally.
The health risks are vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal disorders. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to consult your doctor.
No influx of patients
No particular influx of sick people had been reported late Sunday afternoon, both at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) than on other hospital sites in the canton.
Contacted by Keystone-ATS, HUG spokesperson Nicolas de Saussure, however, noted that the hospital, as well as 144, have received numerous calls from people wanting information. “But these are asymptomatic people,” he clarified.
The spokesperson added that the four HUG hospital sites affected, namely Bellerive, Curabilis, Trois-Chêne and Belle-Idée, had sufficient mineral water for their patients and staff.
Fifteen primary schools, two orientation cycles and eleven specialized schools are also impacted. Students will nevertheless be able to go to their classes as usual on Monday morning. However, the SIG invites students to bring a large bottle of drinking water for the day. Regarding school restaurants, all measures have been taken to ensure meals, as well as for extracurricular activities.
In addition, a green line has been put into service by the SIG to answer specific questions: 0844 800 808.
Supply
SIG teams, with support from SIS and Civil Protection, are installing twelve drinking water supply points. These are “goats”, taps installed in public areas, and mobile tanks. Residents must bring their own container to obtain drinking water. This equipment will remain installed until the water is drinkable again. In addition, bottles of drinking water will be distributed in nursing homes and daycare centers.
With ATS Keystone.
