How could E. coli get into drinking water?

* Sewage contamination: Sewage can contain E. coli, and if it leaks into drinking water supplies, it can contaminate the water. This can happen if there are cracks or breaks in the sewer pipes, or if there is flooding that overflows the sewers.

* Animal waste contamination: Animal waste, such as manure from livestock farms, can also contain E. coli. If this waste is not properly managed, it can run off into waterways and contaminate drinking water supplies.

* Poor water treatment: If water treatment plants are not properly operated and maintained, they may not be able to remove all of the E. coli from the water. This can happen if there are problems with the filters, or if the water is not treated with enough disinfectant.

Drinking water that is contaminated with E. coli can cause a variety of health problems, including diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and fever. In some cases, E. coli infection can lead to more serious health problems, such as kidney failure and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

To protect yourself from drinking water contaminated with E. coli, you should:

* Boil your water: Boiling water for at least one minute will kill E. coli and other harmful bacteria.

* Use a water filter: Water filters can remove E. coli and other harmful contaminants from water.

* Drink bottled water: Bottled water is a safe alternative to tap water if you are concerned about contamination.

If you have any concerns about the safety of your drinking water, you should contact your local health department.