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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Colorado Salmonella Outbreak Last Year Leads to Chlorine Waiver Revocation This Year

The Western Slope town of Alamosa, Colorado has 8,900 residents. Last year, nearly 1,300 of them became ill when salmonella infected the city’s water. Forty percent of Alamosa’s infants were sick, 442 cases of “probable salmonella infections” were identified by the state, and one man died. This was the worst waterborne disease outbreak in the US since 2004.

Waivers in Many Places


In a report that has been made public, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment states deficiencies in Alamosa’s 320,000 gallon reservoir allowed salmonella to enter the system. When asked how this outbreak could have been avoided, the state drinking water program manager said chlorination treatment would have stopped it. As a result, the state is requiring that 72 chlorine treatment waivers be revoked and that most, if not all, water systems be treated. Alamosa had been exempt from chlorination since 1974.

The state has reviewed nearly 130 public drinking water systems, including school districts, towns, campgrounds, and mobile home parks, that were exempt from chlorine treatment. Others are still under review. In Alamosa’s case, the chlorine waiver was just part of the problem. Poor maintenance, inadequate supervision of a short-staffed drinking water program, and incorrect bacteria testing all played their part.

Cause of the Outbreak

The reservoir was drained after the salmonella outbreak. The reservoir had not been drained and cleaned in almost a quarter century. The crew found holes so large they could see daylight through them and sediment over a foot deep in places.

Inspectors also discovered that a city water tower built in the ‘30s contained 145 gallons of sediment and was missing bolts that bird feces could have gotten into; two mortuaries and a meatpacking and restaurant property posed a hazard to the water supply; and the city’s tests for coliform bacteria in the water did not comply with federal requirements for diverse sampling.

Furthermore, the water pumped into the reservoir was at least 75 degrees. This is a perfect temperature for bacteria, but also for wildlife. All it takes to create a massive outbreak is a tiny amount of salmonella-tainted feces.

Salmonella infection can cause serious personal injury through dehydration, as well as death. When an entire city’s water supply becomes tainted because they waived off the one thing that could have kept salmonella from entering the drinking water, it may be possible to get compensation.

If you or a family member has become ill because of bacteria in your drinking water, please contact the experienced municipal liability attorneys at the Cochran Firm. We serve clients nationwide.

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posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 11:47 AM

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