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    To apply for a health card, visit the Health Benefits section of this website, or get a form at your local municipal office. Illnesses from Water and Food E.coli in drinking waterE.coliEscherichia coli or E.coli is a type of coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. Most strains of E.coli do not cause illness in healthy humans and are beneficial to the synthesis of vitamins. Some strains, however, cause cramps and diarrhea in humans. One particular strain named O157:H7 produces a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness. E.coli result is a serious warning signHealth organizations across the world have selected E.coli as the most reliable indicator for the bacteriological quality of drinking water. The presence of E.coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination. Sewage may contain many types of disease-causing organisms. Presence of E.coli bacteria does not necessarily mean that your drinking water contains the strain of E.coli O157:H7. Heath organizations do not believe it necessary for a private well owner to test specifically for E.coli O157:H7 under normal circumstances. If E.coli O157:H7 is present in your well, it is highly likely that other strains of E.coli are also present. If a well has E.coli present, regardless of strain, you should not drink the water unless it is effectively disinfected. How E.coli gets into waterDuring rainfalls, snowmelts, or other types of precipitation, E.coli may be washed into creeks, rivers, lakes, or groundwater. When these waters are used as sources of drinking water and the water is not treated or inadequately treated, E.coli may end up in drinking water. Effect on healthSymptoms: Most strains of E.coli are harmless to healthy humans. However. the strain O157:H7 can cause serious diseases. This strain produces toxins and can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea. Frequently no fever is present. Risks: Risks from E.coli O157:H7 are greater for young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system. These symptoms are common to a variety of diseases, and may be caused by sources other than contaminated drinking water. Action: Consult with your physician immediately if you suddenly have diarrhea with blood, regardless of the suspected cause. Private wells should be testedIf you have a private well, you should have it tested periodically. Contact the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory at 1-800-450-0000 to receive sample bottles and shipping containers. These bottles are also distributed throughout the province at RM offices and public health offices. It is very easy to contaminate these sterile containers, and therefore special care should be taken when handling the bottles and collecting samples. Read the instructions on the reverse side of requisition form for details of sample collection and shipment. About bacterial contamination testsTo test a water sample for bacteriological quality, typically, 100 mL of water is filtered through a membrane that retains the bacteria present in the sample. This membrane filter is placed on specially designed media and incubated for 24 hrs. The bacterial colonies that grow on the media are inspected for the presence of E.coli and total coliforms. Presence of E.coli in your water sample suggests that disease-causing organisms may also be present. If your well is contaminated, disinfect or boil waterIf your water sample contains E.coli, do not drink the water unless you boil it for one minute at a rolling boil. You may also disinfect the well according to the procedures recommended (see Well Disinfection link below). Monitor your water periodically after disinfection to ensure that the problem does not recur. Where can I get further advice?You can check Health Canada’s website (see link below) for detailed information on water quality and health. You can also contact your local public health inspector (see link below) for specific advice about your water supply.
Related Links
Your health region's public health inspection office can answer questions about water safety and water testing.
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