E. coli boil water advisory for 200,000 in Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
Authorities in Zuid-Holland Zuid have issued a three-day boil water advisory for residents of Dordrecht, Zwijndrecht and Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht after an E. coli bacterium was detected in the drinking water supply, prompting supermarket shortages as residents rushed to buy bottled water, RTV Dordrecht reported.
The safety warning affects roughly 200,000 people across the three municipalities. Officials say all tap water must be boiled for three minutes before use for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. The measure is intended to eliminate any bacteria that may have entered the water system through the distribution network. The advisory will remain in effect until tests confirm that the tap water is fully safe again for consumption without treatment.
E. coli is a bacterium that naturally occurs in the intestines of humans and animals. When present in contaminated food or water, it can cause gastrointestinal illness, including stomach and intestinal complaints. Health authorities warn that people with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill.
In response to the warning, supermarkets in Dordrecht experienced a rapid surge in demand for bottled water. According to RTV Dordrecht, some residents attempted to purchase supplies shortly before stores closed, and in at least one supermarket all bottled water was sold out within 45 minutes. Other stores also reported empty shelves as panic buying increased following the advisory.
