Naples raw water well tests positive for E. coli; no customers impacted

The city of Naples announced on Friday that on Thursday one of its 51 raw water wells tested positive for E. coli.

According to the city, the positive sample was collected from untreated water at a raw well before the water enters its water treatment plant. The city says it immediately discontinued use of the well, relying on the other 50 to meet demands.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, E. coli is a bacterium that indicates the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. The bacteria can cause short-term effects, like diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches. A greater health risk is posed to infants, young children and those with compromised immune systems.

FDEP is recommending, but not mandating, that customers not drink the water without boiling it first. The city says it has collected five additional samples from the affected well, and that once it has been disinfected, it will return to service following a ten-sample survey.

The city has increased sampling at its sources to determine the source of the contamination. The city says finished drinking water is routinely tested before distribution, and all finished water samples collected have met regulatory standards.