City of Baltimore Provides Updates on Water Boil Advisory
BALTIMORE, MD. (Tuesday, September 6, 2022) — The City of Baltimore remains committed to keeping constituents informed about the recent E. Coli and coliform contamination impacting parts of West Baltimore. The following is a rundown of available updates at this time.
Testing
As stated during the press conference on Monday, September 5, the Department of Public Works (DPW) collected samples for retesting following the discovery of E. Coli and coliform over the weekend. A total of 24 specimens were collected Monday evening and DPW will provide an update after all 24 results are in.
Water Distribution Sites
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is leading the efforts around water distribution to those impacted by the E. Coli and coliform contamination. As of 6 p.m. today, a total of 172,000 bottles were distributed to individuals seeking such support. The three sites stood up by OEM today will close at 8 p.m. and reopen tomorrow morning.
Source of Contamination
The Mayor’s Office and DPW are actively working to identify the origin of the contamination and will provide appropriate updates as the investigation progresses.
Health Reminders
The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) continues to provide information to help address health concerns regarding this matter. E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
All who have been exposed to the contaminated water in the impacted area should monitor for the symptoms listed above and seek medical care if needed.
If you're an adult, call your healthcare provider if:
- You're not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
- You've been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days
- You're vomiting blood
- You're dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
- You notice blood in your bowel movements
- You have severe stomach pain
- You have a fever above 104 F
For infants and children see your child's health care provider right away if your child:
- Has a fever of 102 F or higher
- Seems tired or very irritable
- Is in a lot of discomfort or pain
- Has bloody diarrhea
- Seems dehydrated
Frequently Asked Questions
The City has compiled a list of responses to frequently asked questions on the DPW website. Residents are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Boil Water Advisory webpage for additional information.
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