E. coli in Whitney wells

When Denean Keane was looking to buy her home in Whitney two years ago, she had the water tested as part of the pre-approval process.

"It was fine," she said.

Saturday she had a surprise visitor when someone from the Public Health office came to her door with a notice that told her to boil her water.

Some of Keane's neighbours had their well water tested earlier and it came back positive for E. coli bacteria.

Keane said no one in her home felt sick lately, but her family doesn't drink the well water.

"We have a cooler anyways."

E.coli can be spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by the bacteria, and symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Most people recover within seven to 15 days, but the infection can lead to more serious, potentially fatal health problems.

The notice was the first Keane heard of problems with wells in her area, but she said the Public Health official left a sample bottle for her to get hers tested.

"We'll get it tested for sure, just to be on the safe side."

Keane said if the water tests positive they will do more testing.

"We'll just follow whatever the regimen is."

Andrew Jardine also received a notice Saturday and said he was concerned because he has kids.

"My wife's quite concerned about it."

A few years ago the province offered free testing and he said his well tested positive for coliform bacteria.

"I never used my water since for drinking."

Jardine said they shocked the well at the time, but it doesn't mean the problem won't come back again.

"I was definitely going to get mine tested again."

There are problems with wells in the area every year and a few people went to the Health Department with their concerns, he said.

Jardine said the person who left him the notice mentioned something about the depth of people's well casings as part of the problem.

"They're kind of implying the wells aren't up to standards."

A farm nearby spread manure around a rainy period and Jardine said the Environment Department was investigating.

"It is serious."

Jardine heard some of his neighbours had brown water around the time the farm spread the manure and they were told no to use their water at all, even for showers.

He thought it would cost around $40 for testing and if his family's safety was at risk it would be worth the cost, but he said he shouldn't have to pay.

"If there's a problem in the environment shouldn't somebody else pay for it?"

The Department of Health was contacted, but was not available for comment before press time.