Spring Break
Campus Village water violates standards
Ryan Buchan
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: News
Routine water tests found levels of coliform bacteria in the water of all three Campus Village buildings in violation of drinking water standards, according to an informational flier distributed by University Housing Services.
Coliform bacteria were not present in the water of the other buildings on campus, according to the flier.
Coliform are often found in the feces of warm-blooded animals, according to the Web site of the Washington State Department of Health. The Web site also reported that this type of bacteria normally does not cause sickness, but its presence often indicates that other disease-causing organisms may be present in the water.
Jennifer Erv, a junior software engineering major, said her roommates and she had been feeling sick shortly before Housing Services announced the water contamination.
"It felt like a hard rock in our stomach," Erv said.
She said after finding out about the contamination, she began boiling her water in fear of getting sick again.
Kevina Brown, Housing Services community relations coordinator, was unavailable for comment on Monday.
The flier distributed by Housing Services stated that students should not worry, and they do not have to boil their water. It also reported that tests showed no signs of disease-causing bacteria in the water.
Last Friday, Housing Services put on a meeting for all residents to attend to get questions answered.
Kristie Anagnos, a sophomore business management major, said she thought the water has always tasted disgusting and uses it only for cooking when she boils it.
Taylen Foster, a freshmen civil engineering major, said she thought the water has tasted weird on campus, and it tastes much different than the tap water she drinks at home in Seaside, Calif.
In reaction to the contamination, the flier reported that the university had collected additional samplings and has increased sampling for coliform, flushed the water distribution system, requested that the water supplier increase the disinfectant residual in the water and is investigating the cause of the problem.
The flier stated that the university hopes to have the problem completely resolved by Friday.
Coliform bacteria were not present in the water of the other buildings on campus, according to the flier.
Coliform are often found in the feces of warm-blooded animals, according to the Web site of the Washington State Department of Health. The Web site also reported that this type of bacteria normally does not cause sickness, but its presence often indicates that other disease-causing organisms may be present in the water.
Jennifer Erv, a junior software engineering major, said her roommates and she had been feeling sick shortly before Housing Services announced the water contamination.
"It felt like a hard rock in our stomach," Erv said.
She said after finding out about the contamination, she began boiling her water in fear of getting sick again.
Kevina Brown, Housing Services community relations coordinator, was unavailable for comment on Monday.
The flier distributed by Housing Services stated that students should not worry, and they do not have to boil their water. It also reported that tests showed no signs of disease-causing bacteria in the water.
Last Friday, Housing Services put on a meeting for all residents to attend to get questions answered.
Kristie Anagnos, a sophomore business management major, said she thought the water has always tasted disgusting and uses it only for cooking when she boils it.
Taylen Foster, a freshmen civil engineering major, said she thought the water has tasted weird on campus, and it tastes much different than the tap water she drinks at home in Seaside, Calif.
In reaction to the contamination, the flier reported that the university had collected additional samplings and has increased sampling for coliform, flushed the water distribution system, requested that the water supplier increase the disinfectant residual in the water and is investigating the cause of the problem.
The flier stated that the university hopes to have the problem completely resolved by Friday.
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