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What is E. Coli?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacteria that normally lives in the intestines of both healthy people and animals. In most cases, this bacteria is harmless. It helps digest the food you eat. However, certain strains of E. coli can cause symptoms including diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps and low-grade fever. Some E. coli infections can be dangerous.

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The presence of E. coli in drinking water typically indicates that the water was infected by either sewage waste or animal feces. This can happen a few different ways:

  • Agricultural storm runoff. When it rains in rural areas, storm water flows  over the ground and can come into contact with animal waste near farms. If  that waste contains E. coli, the bacteria can be carried over the ground and  into nearby water wells or other drinking  water supplies.

  • Sewage  overflows. When it rains excessively in urban areas, sewage systems can  temporarily overflow. The water from these systems can flow over streets and sidewalks  and end up flowing into drinking water supply lines or nearby lakes and rivers  that connect to sources of drinking water.

  • Broken  water mains. If a water  main breaks in a city, water that’s contaminated with E. coli can seep into  the cracks of the broken pipes and infiltrate the lines that serve tap water to  the public.

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How does E. coli get in the water?

E. coli comes from human and animal waste. During rainfalls, snow melts, or other types of precipitation, E. coli may be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or groundwater. When these waters are used as sources of drinking water and the water is not treated or inadequately treated, E. coli may end up in the drinking water.

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How E. coli infection spreads

Infectious E. coli bacteria can be spread from humans and animals. The most common ways it spreads are:

  • swimming in or drinking contaminated water

  • eating undercooked or raw meat

  • eating contaminated, raw fruits and vegetables

  • contact with infected animals

  • contact with a person who has poor hygiene and doesn’t wash their hands regularly

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Symptoms of E. coli

The symptoms of drinking water with E. coli or eating foods with traces of the bacteria are very obvious. Typically, the person will become sick within 24 hours of ingesting E. coli bacteria. But sometimes, it may take up to a week to experience the symptoms of drinking E. coli in water.

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A person may experience one or more of the following symptoms after drinking E. coli in water:​

  • Lethargy, fever, or chills

  • Upset stomach, vomiting, or nausea

  • Cramping or pain in the stomach or mid-section

  • Mild to severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody

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How to treat E. coli symptoms 

Consult with your physician.

"We're all products our environment.
The key is not to fall.

- Lamar Odom
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