Watch VideoSalmonella cases near 250; water system flushing underway
Mark Hanrahan
People in Alamosa can flush their toilets. That's it. Their municipal water system is off-limits for every other use. Schools and restaurants are closed, the National Guard is handing out bottled water, and it could be weeks before everything returns to normal.
The Alamosa Water Department, with the help of crews from Denver Water, began flushing the municipal system at 9 am Tuesday. The flush water has chlorine concentrations of 25 parts per million (ppm). To give you an idea of what that means, it's three times much chlorine as swimming pool water.
The super-chlorinated flush is the first of three phases for cleaning the system. The second phase will lower the concentration of chlorine, but it will still be elevated. During that phase, people will again be allowed to bathe. In the final phase, residents will again be allowed to drink the water.
The state health department reports that the number of suspected cases has risen to nearly 250, with 70 confirmed by lab tests. There have been no deaths. All ten people who were hospitalized for salmonella poisoning have been released.
Most businesses are open. However, many restaurants and the city's public school system are closed.
Alamosa Mayor Kathy Rogers told NewsFirst reporter Mark Hanrahan that the community has received $300,000 in state aid. The 8,000 gallons of bottled water being handed out daily was all donated. In addition, Gov. Bill Ritter has applied for federal assiatance for the San Luis Valley community.
About 10,000 people are affected by the water contamination, including residents and students at Adams State College.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. Victims typically recover on their own, but the elderly, infants and people with impaired immune systems may require treatment. Health officials say salmonella can cause death in vulnerable victims if it's not treated.
