NYC Health advisory -- Water

[GalvestonDuck]

From CrisisAlertNet...not sure how many NYCers we have here or how many of them have suppressed immune systems, but this needs to be shared for anyone who knows anyone in the area and with these conditions:

Subject: NYC DOHMH HEALTH ADVISORY - "DRINKING WATER ADVISORY FOR IMMUNE-COMPROMISED NEW YORKERS"

DRINKING WATER ADVISORY FOR IMMUNE-COMPROMISED NEW YORKERS

NEW YORK CITY - June 30 - Following recent heavy rainstorms, higher than
normal levels of particles have been detected in the City's drinking water
supply, which can interfere with the water chlorination process. These high
levels were observed at approximately 2am today at the Kensico reservoir in
upstate New York, one of three reservoirs that supply drinking water to New
York City. While the affected water was diverted shortly thereafter, out of
an abundance of caution, DOHMH is recommending that infants, the elderly,
pregnant women and New Yorkers with conditions that compromise their immune
systems- those with HIV/AIDS, especially those with CD4 counts less than
200; those with leukemia; and those who are post bone marrow transplantation
- use either boiled or bottled water as a precaution for the next 24 hours
(until noon Friday).

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has requested that
doctors increase testing for parasitic illnesses and immediately report
these diseases as well as any increase in gastrointestinal symptoms,
especially diarrheal illness.

The DOHMH and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection are
working closely with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further assess water quality
and are continuing to monitor for illness.

Recommendations

Anyone with severe diarrhea or with evidence of jaundice (yellow eyes or
skin) should see their doctor immediately. People with immune-compromising
conditions are advised to:

Bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute before use.

To avoid a burn injury, allow water to cool before pouring into a clean, dry
container.

Boiled water should be use for ice cubes, brushing teeth, preparing salads,
and mixing with concentrates.

OR

Use point-of-use filters with an absolute pore size of less than or equal
to one micron in diameter

* Safe filters include:

o those certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for
"absolute cyst removal of particles < one micron", or standard #53 (cyst
reduction). The certification seal can be found on the filter.

o filters labeled with the words "Reverse Osmosis"

* Filters commonly used for chlorine and metals removal may not be
acceptable for use in this situation. Please check the label.

* Follow manufacturer's directions for routine maintenance and
replace filters according to schedule.

OR

Use bottled water


* Only bottled waters certified by the NYSDOH for sale in NY should
be considered. Look for the NYSDOH certification identifier on the label
(NYSHD Cert. # XXXX). A list of certified bottled waters for sale in NY,
along with their sources can be obtained from the NYSDOH at

1-518-402-7676.

Bathing and other uses of water

* Avoid drinking water or getting into your mouth while bathing

* It is safe to use tap water to wash dishes if dishes are thoroughly
dried before use.

* It is safe to use tap water to prepare food that will be cooked
before eating.

Other precautions


* Avoid sexual practices that may result in exposure to feces.

* Avoid drinking or accidentally swallowing water from lakes, rivers,
ponds, streams, pools or waterparks.

* Avoid contact with feces of all animals, particularly young farm
animals such as calves.

Always wash hands thoroughly after any contact with animals; after any
contact with soil (e.g., gardening); after changing diapers, or caring for
someone with diarrhea; before eating, or preparing food.

[Miss Mary]

Yikes - considering the population there let alone tourists, I would not want to be there right now!

Hope they get this under control quickly.

I enjoy watching A & E shows where they illustrate how sky scrapers were built, bridges, etc. Don't ask me why, they're fascinating to me. Anyway, I watched a special on the water system in the NYC area, how it's been outdated for decades. Engineers are carving out a brand new water system, below the current one, with a huge drill that chips away at the bedrock, many feet below NYC. It's so large it had to be assembled on site and can do the job faster than older, more conventional ways. All in all, it will take decades to get this complete. I just found it interesting but what I did remember is that the system in place now is so old, they're hoping it hangs in there until the new one is finished.

Mary