From: Gerald Fisher

Sent: Wed Mar 08 13:53:44 2017

To: Dan Huff

Subject: Cryptosporidium hysteria

Importance: Normal

Dan,

In regards to the hysteria on social media that has started today, here is what I know as of 1:48 pm. Please forward to the City Council so they know.

We have no confirmation as of yet from her physician that her child has cryptosporidium. We did find out that she has an irrigation system connected to the water system and I have not heard yet if they have a backflow device. They were not on our list and if connected without a backflow it is considered an illegal connection and a health risk to our water system. As a precaution, we are testing the water for bacteria and should have the results back in about 24 hours and will be performing a cryptosporidium test ($900) as a precaution and we won’t get the results back for a month. We have notified the state drinking water program and are coordinating with them. Per discussion with them there is no requirement to notify any water users until we have a confirmation of cryptosporidium. As a precaution, the maintenance division will be flushing the lines and taking additional bacteria samples.

In summary:

· No confirmation on cryptosporidium by a doctor

· No confirmation that others are sick as homeowner describes

· Illegal irrigation system connection to water system

· No backflow testing by property owner as required in our code

If there is an issue, we will notify water users. In truth, I don’t think it is a problem on our end but we are going through all of the precautionary steps anyway. The property owner also stated her kids were playing outside in the rain and if they put their hands in mud puddles with animal feces nearby and then ate without washing their hands, they could have gotten it from that. Good idea to wash your hands before you eat even if you haven’t been playing in the mud.

Social media has now spiraled out of control as the non-experts have started to chime in and give their two cents on the matter. This is exactly why I don’t have a Facebook account.

Regards,

Gerald Fisher, P.E. | Public Works Director

City of Molalla

117 N Molalla Ave. | PO Box 248 |Molalla, OR 97038

Office: 503.829.6855 | Direct: 503.759.0218

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