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E. coli bacteria has again been detected in the Ualapue Shaft on Molokai following a routine test Thursday, but the Department of Water Supply assured that water from the system is safe to drink.
The bacteria, whose presence may indicate human or animal waste in the system, was detected only in the shaft and not in the source or further down the line in the distribution system, the department said. In addition, the water in the distribution system is disinfected.
A sample collected Thursday showed the presence of E. coli but other samples taken Thursday showed no contamination, the department said. The clear samples met federal Environmental Protection Agency and state Health Department water quality standards.
The water test takes 18 hours to complete. The department is required to send out the notice by the state Health Department, even if the water in the distribution system is safe to drink.
The county Department of Water Supply is completing a comprehensive assessment of the water system and monitoring and operational practices to identify and correct any causes of the contamination.
Similar contamination in the shaft but not the source and distribution system have been reported on several occasions in the past several years. In February and March 2017, there were similar reports of bacterial contamination in the shaft.
Customers may call the 24-hour hotline at 270-7633 if a water-related problem occurs or if there are any questions. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.