Well Owners Advised to test for E. coli in Water
After settling a well water E. coli case in Iowa and investigating a well water E. coli outbreak at a fitness center in Missouri, lawyer Elliot Olsen says these public health dangers could be avoided with mandatory testing.
Olsen reached a confidential six-figure settlement for a two-year-old E. coli victim in rural Iowa who was sickened by E. coli in well water at her family’s rented home.
The well owner contended the child contracted E. coli directly from cattle in nearby fields, but Olsen hired university experts to study and prove that manure runoff from the cattle seeped into the private well serving the house.
Sadly, the little girl was hospitalized for an extended period when she developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). She suffered permanent kidney damage and is at risk for needing a kidney transplant in the future.
Meanwhile in Missouri, Cape Girardeau County Public Health said there are 7 laboratory-confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7, all children. In addition, there are 11 other probable infections. The gym in question is the Class Act Family Fitness Center, 2336 County Road 307 in Jackson, which has agreed to cease providing water to its users.
Water from the well used by Class Act Family Fitness has tested positive for E. coli, and further testing is being done to determine if it is E. coli O157:H7.
HUS can develop in any person with an E. coli O157:H7 infection, but children are the most prone to this life-threatening disease. In Missouri, at least four of the well water E. coli victims were hospitalized.
To prevent similar outbreaks, Olsen recommends the following testing requirements for well owners who supply water for a business or rental property:
- Mandatory yearly testing of water for E. coli and other pathogens.
- Mandatory testing of water if the well has been overtopped by flood water or compromised.
- Required posting of well water risks near water fountains and water taps.
Attorney Elliot Olsen represents E. coli victims nationwide. He can be reached at 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or by completing an online contact form.
Tags: E. coli HUS, E. coli in Water Supply, E. coli Lawyer, Water E. coli Lawsuit, Well Water E coli
