White Rock boil-water advisory extended

Three samples of tap water in White Rock, B.C., tested positive for E. coli bacteria Monday, prompting authorities to extend a boil-water advisory indefinitely.

The advisory affects more than 20,000 residents in the city, about 25 kilometres south of Vancouver.

No illnesses have been reported in connection to the bacterium, which was first detected in the city's water supply on Friday,

The Fraser Health Authority and the private company that processes White Rock's water, Epcor Utilities Inc., said residents should bring their water to a rapid, rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking or cooking.

Epcor said in a release Monday that technicians had found no trace of E. coli in samples taken Saturday and Sunday, but the release made no mention of Monday's test results.

An unidentified White Rock city official confirmed that the latest tests showed the contamination.

Two reservoirs are being drained and chlorinated, the official said.

All the samples showing the presence of E. coli were taken at one location, called the Merklin well.

About 80 homes in South Surrey along 16th Avenue are also affected by the boil-water order.

No illnesses associated with the contamination have been reported in either area.

Most strains of E. coli bacteria are harmless, but some can cause severe gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and kidney damage that can be fatal.

The strain detected in White Rock has not been made public.