Capitola Beach Closed After E. Coli Outbreak Sickens Nine Children
Capitola Beach in California is closed after an E. coli outbreak that health officials say sickened nine children. Separately, a boil water advisory covers hundreds of residents in west San Martin, where the water supply tested positive for the bacteria.
Capitola Beach in California is closed after an E. coli outbreak that health officials say sickened nine children. The closure was announced as a separate E. coli problem emerged in the water supply of west San Martin, also in California.
The two cases are reported separately. No official has linked them.
Health officials said at least nine children may have been exposed at the beach. No timeline for reopening Capitola Beach has been given.
Boil water advisory in west San Martin
Hundreds of residents in west San Martin are without safe drinking water after E. coli was detected in the supply. A boil water advisory covers customers in a portion of the community.
The affected area lies west of Highway 101, along and between Monterey Road and Santa Teresa Boulevard. It is identified as Zone 1 for California American Water customers.
Residents are told to use only bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, preparing ice or food, and brushing their teeth. The water company says tap water remains safe for bathing, washing and other common household uses.
"Boom. Your water is contaminated," resident Troylynn said.
Residents report illness
Gregory Hendrick, who lives near an American Water well, said he and several neighbors believe they became ill after drinking contaminated water. He has not cited a medical finding.
"Last week I was super sick - vomiting, diarrhea," Hendrick said. He said a neighbor with a small child had the same symptoms, and that a neighbor nine months pregnant was in the hospital last week.
The water system is undergoing chlorination, a disinfection process. The American Water website gives no timeline for when that work will finish.
The company took over as the area's water retailer sometime last year. It also serves several other Bay Area communities.
Officials require two negative tests taken 48 hours apart before the advisory can be lifted. Residents will likely remain without safe drinking water for the rest of the week.
Hendrick said residents want answers about the long-term implications. "This is a mostly a small community with families and small children here. It's not cool," he said.
Customers who need water can pick up cases at the Animal Services Center from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily until the issue is resolved.
