In Foncegrive, in Côte-d’Or, the water was contaminated by the Escherichia Coli bacteria. Residents must adapt, with the support of the town hall for their daily use of water.
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The small town of 195 inhabitants finds itself in an unusual situation: the tap water has been unfit for consumption since Friday December 13, the town hall is organizing itself.
It’s a new habit for residents to get into, going to the town hall to collect bottles of water. A resident comes to collect 7 bottles of water and deplores “For two days, it’s a bit tight!” He adds that this water will be used to “brushing my teeth, drinking and cooking, that’s going to be a bit tight… I’m going to go to the local supermarket!”
For everyday water, bottles are necessary
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© Romain Liboz – France Télévisions
The drinking water distribution network is believed to be contaminated with Escherichia Coli bacteria. Contamination which forces residents to adapt their daily lives to avoid any risk to their health. In every everyday gesture, you must have a bottle in your hand.
The press release distributed on PanneauPocket to residents is as follows: “Alerte from 12/13/2024 at 3:59 p.m. – Hello, Microbiological non-conformities requiring a ban on consuming water for the entire population served by the Foncegrive network were noted on the 10/12 sample /2024 as part of health control.”
A father, resident of the village, Marius Benoit explains how it was necessary to adapt to the house: “We had to explain to the children not to take water, we put tape on the taps so that they wouldn’t come and take water without thinking about it. We explained to them that we had to take bottled water, we take quick showers, and for brushing our teeth, we take bottled water.”
Contamination with this bacteria can cause gastrointestinal infections, urinary problems or, in rare cases, serious complications such as kidney damage.
A first family reports worrying symptoms. Annick Borderelle, resident, explains: “I drank a lot last week, because I had a urinary infection, I wonder if that’s not it either… My daughter works, she’s sick too, my son-in-law too, well the whole family is sick. I don’t know if it comes from that”
While some mention a dirty pipe, others wonder about infiltration into the drinking water network. For the moment, analyzes are being carried out by the ARS to determine the causes of this contamination.
The town hall of Foncegrive, contacted, did not wish to react.
► With Éloïse Cousin