E. Coli: water consumption temporarily banned in six municipalities in Pas-de-Calais

For the second time in less than a month, the consumption of running water has been temporarily prohibited for residents of the communes of Bernieulles, Cormont, Hubersent, Lefaux, le Turne (commune of Frencq) and Widehem (Pas-de-Calais). ), reports France Bleu.

Pronounced on Saturday by the agglomeration community of the two bays in Montreuillois, this ban is due to excessively high levels of Escherichia Coli bacteria (E. Coli) and coliform bacteria in water taken on November 21 at the school of Widehem.

“Following an analysis carried out by the services of the Regional Health Agency on the distribution network (…) it is recommended not to use tap water for everyday use (for drinking, washing teeth, the preparation of food and the washing of raw vegetables), indicates the agglomeration in a press release. Residents can, however, continue to use water for personal hygiene, washing clothes, washing dishes or going to the toilet.

To meet the needs of the population, the urban community is organizing the distribution of 15,000 bottles of water, at the rate of two bottles per day per person. These bottles can be collected from the town halls of the six municipalities concerned, upon presentation of proof of address.

While waiting for new samples – scheduled for this Monday afternoon – the city intervened by increasing the chlorination of the water networks. On November 6, the same bans on the use of water for food in the same six municipalities were announced by the authorities.