Residents north of Sydney told to boil water after E. coli bacteria detected

SYDNEY - Residents of Australia's Central Coast region in northern Sydney have been advised to boil tap water prior to consumption after testing detected bacteria in the local supply, reported Xinhua.

The Central Coast Council on Tuesday night issued an alert warning residents of 10 suburbs in the area approximately 50 kilometres north of Sydney that the water supply has potentially been compromised after testing of samples detected the presence of E. coli bacteria.

An updated alert issued on Wednesday morning said further testing is underway to validate the result and that health authorities in the state of New South Wales (NSW) have been notified.

It advised residents and businesses to bring all water used for drinking or food preparation to a rolling boil.

"Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated. Immune compromised people should be especially vigilant," it said.

The council's warning said the water is suitable for bathing but that there is a potential risk if water is swallowed during washing.

It urged parents and carers to consider sponge baths for children as an alternative.

According to NSW Health, some types of E. coli can cause serious infections and illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis in newborn babies and inflammation of the gallbladder. - BERNAMA