E. Coli Found in the Water at Primary School in Melbourne, Australia
An elementary school in Melbourne, Australia has found that the water has been contaminated with the E. coli bacteria. The Footscray West Primary School immediately shut off the water supply after the routine testing indicated the presence of E. coli in the water. The principal of the school, Brendan Miller, notified staff and the student’s parents that the E. coli bacteria was found during water quality testing and that the water would be turned off for more thorough testing and treatment of the water system.
In his statement, Mr. Miller, explained that the city was bringing bottled water in for the children of the school as well as portable restrooms to continue safe hand washing procedures. The school took additional precautions by closing down the cafeteria and asking all students to bring their lunch from home.
Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria can cause diarrhea if ingested and most healthy adults can recover easily from the illness. However, young children as well as the elderly are more at risk for a potentially life-threatening kidney disease call Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
A spokesperson from the Department of Education released a statement saying that the E. coli bacteria was found as a result of “proactive testing of the school’s water” and that “the issue was identified before it became a health risk.” It is also important to note that the surrounding city did indeed test the city’s water and did not find any traces of E. coli so it is believed to be an isolated issue related to only Footscray West Primary School.
