Video: Tupelo Residents React to Contaminated Water Scare

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Tupelo residents are taking extra measures since a boil water alert was issued for the city of Tupelo.

A single sample from routine tests showed signs of total coliform and E coli bacteria, and most are playing it safe.

Crews with Tupelo based “Cube Ice” were busier than normal, delivering to local restaurants.

Fairpark Grill owner Bernard Bean bought began loading up on cases of bottled water, and cartons of tea when he heard about the boil water notice Thursday afternoon.

“We’ve checked with our dish supplier to make sure our dish machines and chemicals are safe, they assured us they are , we are checking on a regular basis and so we’re just taking every precaution we can but we want to stay opened to the public,for the public’s sake and our employees sake.”

At United Fitness, Darla Alford was helping lead her sons through some bodyweight exercises.

Like many Tupelo residents, the Alfords have changed some routines since the boil water alert was issued.

“I’m concerned, we are a family of seven, so just the water supply in Tupelo, obviously, everyone panicked a little and we went to Wal Mart to get cases of water and it was all gone, my husband traveled out of town today, he picked up a few cases of water for us.”

“I had to give my pet parakeet , pour water bottle in its food bowl.”

Many people are giving bottled water to their pets. Before you use tap water, boil it for one minute. You can wash your hands and bathe as usual. Also, do not use ice unless it has been made with boiled water, and don’t use tap water to make tea or other drinks.

Greg Reed is water and sewer superintendent with Tupelo Water and Light. He says out of 40 water samples from area homes, only one tested positive for coliform and E Coli, triggering the boil water alert.

“More than likely, it was a problem in the sampling process rather than in the water itself.”

Reed says there’s no way to know what caused the e coli reading. New samples were taken to department of health offices in Jackson and those results should be back by Saturday afternoon. If they are all clear, the boil water notice would be lifted . In Tupelo I’m Allie Martin, WCBI News.

Experts say even if you drank some of the city’s water , it is unlikely you would get sick. Also, the city’s aquatic center swimming pools are not impacted, because of extra chlorine that is put into the water there.