Jessica Peters

A water sample from a San Marcos well recently tested positive for E. coli. Jessica Peters has more in this Bobcat Update.


The San Marcos Public Services division each month tests more than 60 water distribution sites, and this past Thursday a well at Spring Lake tested positive for E. coli.
Bacterium like E. coli is common in the environment and in raw water supply sources.
According to Biology Professor Bob McLean, E. coli is found in humans and actually assists in keeping one's digestive tract healthy. He says in water there's more E. coli than any other organism.
SB (Bob McLean)
The contaminated sample had been taken from raw, untreated water that had NOT been chlorinated or disinfected.  The well where the sample was taken services only one-point-five percent of the city’s water supply.
SB (Jon Clack)
After the discovery of the E. coli bacteria, the well was immediately de-activated until water quality could be assured.  Public Services is in the process of disinfecting the Spring Lake well with chlorine, which should kill any traces of the bacteria.