E. coli detected in Morenci water supply, residents urged to boil water

MORENCI, Mich. — A drinking water warning has been issued by the City of Morenci to all residents after E. coli bacteria were found in a sample of the water supply on Jan. 7. 

Residents should not drink water without first boiling it. All water should be brought to a boil for one minute and cooled before using to kill bacteria and organisms in the water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, preparing food and washing dishes until further notice.

Ingesting E. coli can cause short-term effects like diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches. Infants, young children, the elderly and those with severely compromised immune systems are most at risk.

Due to the drinking water warning, students at Morenci Area Schools will have a remote learning day on Jan. 8, according to an email sent to families and a Facebook post. Students who are able to complete Class Dojo assignments at home should do so, but ones without internet access and tech devices will not be penalized for not completing the work. 

Middle school and high school students should sign on to Google classroom by 8 a.m. on Friday. Students can attend the tech center if they are able to find other transportation, since bussing will be unavailable.

The positive E. coli sample was found from a water line break in the Skyline Industrial Park, according to a media release from the City of Morenci.

The Department of Public Works will conduct a system flush of the southeast part of Morenci on Thursday night. Residents may see rusty water during this flush.

Chlorine levels have also been increased.

Additional sampling is being taken to determine the extent of the problem and an investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the contamination.

The City of Morenci will inform residents when tests return no signs of bacteria and when boiling water is no longer necessary.

The city anticipates the problem to be resolved by Jan. 10.