E.coli suspected at Pelican Point

Sample results expected Tuesday

MOSES LAKE — Residents of a roughly 300-home housing development are being advised to boil their drinking water.

Huck Goodrich, owner and operator of the Pelican Point water system, reported he may have discovered fecal coliform/E.coli bacteria in the water supply Saturday.

Goodrich said he tests water once a month, and one sample of five taken was unsatisfactory.

"I actually think I just took a bad sample," he said. "I had taken five samples. The only bad one was here at my own house but we need to go through this routine to be safe."

Goodrich thinks he was careless in taking the sample, and noted he's gone 35 years and never had a bad sample before.

Goodrich is working with the Washington State Department of Health, he said.

Samples have been sent to Othello, Goodrich said, adding he expects results Tuesday. According to a drinking water warning, resolution to the problem is expected by Wednesday.

Goodrich said the storage tank and well will receive a shock treatment of chlorine.

There are no illnesses, Goodrich said.

The warning shows water should be brought to a boil for three to five minutes and cooled before using. Boiled or purchased bottle water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation until further notice.