We got a boiled water notice

[Aerows]

I'm close to the place where the brain-eating ameoba things were going on in an adjoining Parish.

They said we have to boil it for five minutes before ingesting it. How seriously should we take this?

I'm not sure I want to shower in water that is weird either.

I asked the water guy, he said it wasn't related, but by the shuffling of his feet, it told me he was lying.

They turned the water off for about 4 hours, too.

[FSogol]

1. Did you have a big storm lately? Flooding? n/t

[Aerows]

4. We live on an incline

so even during Katrina we didn't get flooding. That said, we have had so much rain lately that you are practically floating.

[FSogol]

9. The incline doesn't matter, what matters is where the water comes from.

The storm probably overflowed the waste treatment plants' capacity allowing sewage to spill into the fresh water. I follow the boil notices, but I recommend drinking beer and wine as a safety practice anyway.

Boil water for drinking, cooking, and teeth brushing. Don't worry about showering and bathing with that water unless you have open sores or immune problems. The risk of getting sick from it during showering (for healthy adults) is infinitesimal.

[Aerows]

10. My main concern is the brain eating ameobas

that go up your nose as a pathway, which would have anyone with a brain (no pun intended) a tad frightened.

[FSogol]

12. They only kill 4-5 people per year. Pretty remote chance of being infected, I think.

Here's a Nat Geo article on them:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130814-amoeba-brain-naegleriafowleri-infection-parasite/

[Aerows]

15. I don't want to be the one to beat the odds,

nor do I want my loved ones to be, either.

[NoOneMan]

2. I ever eat those warnings

Brain feed sites are bullshit. Been drinking ameoba full water 10 years odd

[Aerows]

5. A 12 year old died.

Please don't make fun of something like that.

[Logical]

55. You cannot get the amoeba from drinking water, only breathing it...

Up your nose.

[Aerows]

67. So I shouldn't be concerned in the least from bathing in it

or taking a shower in it.

[Logical]

69. Not if you don't inhale water up your nose. nt

[bettyellen]

70. just don't inhale, and you'll be fine.

[Aerows]

77. LMAO

I just don't know what to do with such responses as "hey nobody will die" when people in your area and affecting your groundwater supply have ...

Boggles the mind.

[bettyellen]

141. and don't neti with drinking water- even if you have boiled it forever!!

It's allergy season, snarf snarf!

[Bay Boy]

27. I think it's been affecting you already...

...I am hoping your incoherent post was an attempt at humor.

[NightWatcher]

3. go get a Katadyn filter and/or purification tabs

And if they say to boil it, BOIL IT!

[Aerows]

7. Pretty much

what I'm going to do. What a pain in the ass, but at least they TOLD us, unlike St. Bernard Parish where a young boy died.

[PoliticAverse]

6. If the water company tells you to boil water before drinking it I'd take that seriously.

Your reluctance to shower in that water is reasonable I think.

[Aerows]

8. I think so too!

since the pathway of that is up your nose and into your brain. I don't mean to be paranoid, but people have died from this mess!

[sufrommich]

11. You're being much calmer than I imagine I would be.

I don't know how I would feel about bathing in it either,scary stuff.

[Aerows]

13. I don't even know what to think

It's so screwed up, it's just ... odd.

[sufrommich]

17. Did the water company tell you why you should

be boiling your water? My first words would have been "why?what's going on?",then I would start working myself into a full blown panic attack,that's how I roll.

[Aerows]

24. I grilled them

and they wouldn't say a damn thing. I grilled them like an attorney. I grilled them like a Porterhouse. They obviously couldn't answer.

[Bay Boy]

33. Loved your post n/t

[sufrommich]

34. "I grilled them like a porterhouse"

Lol,at least you have a sense of humor about it,that helps a little.

[Aerows]

82. I'm trying, my dear

It's not easy!

[Vanje]

37. Call your water guy's boss.

Make them tell you. Hell, Make them send you the lab report.
The exact nature of problems with public water supply , is public information.

[BlueJazz]

46. You grilled the brain-eating ameobas ?? I still wouldn't eat the damn things.

...although they do taste like chicken.

[steve2470]

144. "grilled them like a Porterhouse" bwahahaha

That sounds like something my Southern mother might have said. Too funny ! hi5!

eta: Stay safe !

[Vanje]

36. Those alerts are usually due to high Coliform count

or Cryptosporidia......indicating fecal contamination of the water supply (Eeuww. Huh. Sorry)

[sufrommich]

40. Yuck.We've had beaches closed in the Detroit area for

high fecal count.

[Aerows]

45. The news just keeps getting better and

better. Dear Lord.

[Aerows]

44. Well thank you

for adding to my worries and the eww factor, Vanje

[denverbill]

14. We had one a few months ago. It's hard to remember some stuff.

I had a really hard time brushing my teeth cause I'd keep forgetting and rinsing my toothbrush in tap water.

Ours wasn't brain eating ameoba, just e-coli.

I'd follow the orders as best as possible.

[ljm2002]

16. Maybe take a bath instead of a shower...

...in order to ensure it doesn't go up your nose -- seems to me that is much more likely when taking a shower than a bath. Wash your hair separately in the sink or something.

Just a thought. That does sound extremely scary!

[Aerows]

21. It's horrifying.

I can't state it any other way.

[Bay Boy]

30. Yes just soak in it for as long as possible...

...can't see any downside to that. Not like there are any entrances for bacteria in the human body

[ljm2002]

32. Good point...

...as I said, it was just a thought, and now that you mention it maybe not such a great thought.

Well then, I guess it would be sponge baths for me, and washing hair separately.

Really -- you do make a very good point. It is an extremely scare situation for anyone who has to deal with that.

[Aerows]

41. It is

I won't lie. I'm alarmed.

[Vanje]

48. It'll be okay, if you follow the precautions

It might be convenient to buy a big container of fresh clean water, or fill some 5 gal buckets from an un-affected tap. Sometimes Its a pain in the ass to boil , and nice to have a cool clean supply at hand


Remembering not to brush your teeth in it is hardest. Put your toothbrush somewhere where you dont usually keep it. That will change your routine , and remind you.

When I travel to Mexico, the same routinel becomes second nature to me, after the first half a day.
Think of it as a sort of mini Mexico vacation.....without the sun, and leisure, and fun and stuff.

[Aerows]

54. Like camping out

Yeah, I remember that from Katrina. We camped out with no electricity and water for weeks! Those MREs sure were tasty. It was the inability to get anything you actually needed and the baby wipe baths I miss the most.

[2naSalit]

107. Honestly...

I would think that if they tell you to boil the water before ingesting, hows about you take a four or five (maybe bigger?) canning or soup pot and boil some bath water to bathe in? I have done that before, even with four feet of hair on my head-I knealt in the tub and used a big gulp cup to pour it over me. You could also get one of those camp showers to use and put the sterilized water in there after some cooling and still take a water conserving shower. A little preplanning needed but not the most inconvenient way to go, really.

At least you can feel better about bathing in water of questionable potable usage.

If you got through Katrina, you can handle this. I wouldn't want that water getting in my ears either without boiling it first.

Good luck.

[Aerows]

109. Thank you for additional good advice

and you are correct!

[Politicalboi]

80. How about a nose plug

For your shower.

[Aerows]

84. That's a credible idea

Thank you for it!

[FarCenter]

18. If they turned the water off, a boil water notice should follow

Usually the pipes are pressurized, so any leak will leak out of the pipe.

When the water is off, the flow can reverse, so groundwater can enter the pipe through the leak.

[Aerows]

20. I live right by St. Bernard Parish

in MS. So naturally, I'm a little alarmed.

[Aerows]

19. Here's how "interesting" this parasite is

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/23/this-amoeba-eats-your-brain-naegleria-fowleri-rattles-new-orleans.html

Oh, and I wear contact lenses. So I'm just thrilled.

[sufrommich]

38. I would buy bottled water for the contacts.

Just a suggestion.

[Aerows]

47. I have 10 gallons of bottled water coming today

I can't even freaking imagine what is going on if we are under a "boiled water until further notice" situation. The water still isn't even on, either.

[PoliticAverse]

78. Aren't you suppose to normally use sterilized water for contact lenses? n/t

[Aerows]

86. distilled

but that's dark ages stuff. Now we use hydrogen peroxide solutions to clean them. I'm concerned about getting the tap water in contact with my eyes and nose.

[Laffy Kat]

121. Don't wear contacts, but don't you use normal saline?

Or at least sterile water to begin with?

[malaise]

22. Take it seriously

Take no chances.

[Aerows]

23. I'm afraid to wash my face now

LOL. I also wear contact lenses and this could be BAD.

[malaise]

25. When we have water crises - usually after hurricanes

we add a teaspoon of bleach to a gallon of water and let it rest for a few hours.

I'd continue washing my face, but be careful not to let water get in your nose.

[Aerows]

28. I've been there and done that

it just sucks, but thanks for the tip. I'll use bleach before washing my face, because I don't want brain eating amoeboids up my nose.

My God, what a horrible thing.

[RebelOne]

118. Buy a package of facial cleansing towelettes

in the cosmetic section of your local grocery store. I use them all the time as I never put soap and water on my face because it is too drying on the skin.

[Aerows]

120. Thank you

that's a good idea, and I appreciate it!

[Generic Other]

134. Baby wipes even

They help a lot. Easier to find -- unless there's a run on such products.

Good luck to you and I understand entirely why you are both alarmed and horrified.

[Aerows]

136. Thank you, Generic for getting it :)

Nice to see someone that get's it when someone is in a shitstorm and trying to contain the swirl for everyone they love and everybody else, too.

[Aerows]

26. It's until further notice

that doesn't sound very good ...

[Vanje]

31. Yeah.

I'd boil it.
And , if you have a dsh washer with a hot drying cycle, use that. If you dont have a dishwasher, use paper plates for a little while, and biol your silverware or use plastic.
I wouldnt worry about shower, except to keep your nose and mouth out of the flow.

(I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I do work directly with pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, and suggest respecting them)

[Aerows]

35. I do, and I will use it

It's just fun, fun fun 24/7 LOL.

[Aerows]

39. The water is still off, anyway

I won't even get the opportunity to boil it.

[winter is coming]

42. Boil it, and be sure that five minutes is at a vigorous boil.

Put a big pot on every now and then so you'll have plenty for drinking, toothbrushing, dishwashing, etc. I'd use it to wash at least my face, too. Yeah, it's a pain, but you'll get used to it and it won't be forever.

[Aerows]

50. There is no other choice

but hey, we don't even have running water right now anyway.

[winter is coming]

52. That's what really sucks. Hope it's back soon. n/t

[Aerows]

126. It finally came back on

I don't know what to do with it, other than take joy that toilets can be flushed.

[winter is coming]

127. That alone is worth celebrating. n/t

[Aerows]

129. When the water finally came on after Katrina and 5 weeks of misery

I ran around flushing toilets like a maniac in joy. So yes, thank heavens we have working toilets again.

[procon]

43. You have rights

By law (Calif) your water company is required to provide accurate testing results as it relates to public health. A Boil Water Notice is given according to specific state, county, or local requirements. This is legal document, and your water company must be in trouble if some govt authority or breech of regulation has caused them to issue a consumer advisory.

If you're getting a run around, contact your Health Dept, or the state agency that regulates water quality. In California, these can vary from regional water boards, the State Utility Commission, or even the Consumer Protection Offices which advocate for consumer rights.

[Aerows]

49. See, the fact that they are having to issue one

concerns me. I know that tends to make government agencies less likely to issue one, but with the death of a few people already, it's kind of hard to cover it up.

[hollysmom]

51. I would boil water and use it to hand wash myself. Not as clean, but better than taking chances.

You need to buy a big pot. I bought one when I got viral pink eye to boil the laundry you can get very large pots. After you boil the water, store some in pitchers in your fridge, to always have water available, or buy bottled water.

[Aerows]

101. Thankfully

I have a huge crab boil pot to employ. What a nightmare this is.

[dgibby]

53. When I shower,

I stand with my back to the shower head, so very little chance of water up the nose. As for washing your hair in the sink, I've never done that without getting water in my nose, so I definitely wouldn't do that.

[Logical]

56. You are that worried about the amoeba???? nt

[Aerows]

57. You aren't worried about one

that goes up your nose and destroys your brain when people in your area have already suffered that fate, and they've turned the water off and given you a boil water notice?

[Logical]

60. No I am not! My god, it kills maybe 1 or 2 people per year, and....

There has to be 10s of millions of people swimming a year in amoeba infested water.

There are 100s of things much more dangerous!

2 cases a year.

[Aerows]

63. 2 people have already died in the exact area where I am due to *treated* water

that obviously wasn't treated enough. And now they have shut off the water, told us to boil it, and we shouldn't in the slightest be alarmed, because it will go up no one's noses. One person is in critical condition.

FFS. Even the damn water department recognizes a public safety hazard.

[Logical]

66. Drinking it will not hurt you! Nt

[dgibby]

81. I wouldn't bet my paycheck on that if I were you.

The E.coli will make you wish you were dead.

[Logical]

83. The brain eating amoeba is issue here. nt

[Aerows]

91. I could care less about the quality of drinking it at this point

I'm far more concerned with the "bathing and showering it" and getting up my nose and eating my brain problem. A little diarrhea is mild compared to that.

[dgibby]

64. Good for you.

By all means, snort the damned infected water if you want to. It's a free country. Just don't ask the taxpayers to foot your medical bills, m'kay?

[Logical]

72. LOL, math is hard! nt

[dgibby]

79. All righty, then.

There's a serial killer loose. He's only killed 2 people this year, both of them in your neighborhood. Are you going to leave your doors and windows unlocked/wide open and the welcome mat out or are you going to take some precautions? YOU do the math.

[Logical]

89. Dumb example, here you go, 350 people die from falls getting in or out of...

A bathtub! So your logic means that no one should take a bath?

7000 drown swimming! Stop that too?

You get it!

[Aerows]

93. 350 people with leg problems shouldn't be climbing in and out of bathtubs

not that I am implying they are, but you are asking 350 people with leg and balance problems to be overjoyed with a water system that is proven to contain brain eating amoeba and not be worried the hell at all.

[Logical]

95. You have no idea what their problems are. And 7000 drown a year, many think they are good swimmers..

want to stop swimming also?

[Aerows]

100. I don't swim in a school of sting rays

or jelly fish. Accomplished people like Steve Irwin met their end there.

[Logical]

112. LOL, yes, all drownings are caused by fish. Are you paying attention? n-t

[Aerows]

114. And swimming in sharks is a walk in the park

Honey, we could go back and forth like this all day, but the fact remains that there is a public health crisis in my area. I'm no delighted by it, I'm not "lording it over" others, I'm *enduring* it. It's not nice, not fun and not easy.

But hey, I swung the brunt of Katrina, I'll swing this one.

[Logical]

115. "crisis"? Bullshit. Boil orders happen all the time. Here are some links for you......

E. coli fouls water supply in Kent County; boil order hits 7 cities, towns
http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130922-e.-coli-fouls-water-supply-in-kent-county-boil-order-hits-7-cities-towns.ece

Boil order continues as District 54 retests water
http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2021884448_desmoineswaterxml.html


Boil order still in effect in Des Moines
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Des-Moines-water-eColi-224915512.html


Louisiana emphasizes drinking water safe despite finding brain-eating amoeba
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57603865/louisiana-emphasizes-drinking-water-safe-despite-finding-brain-eating-amoeba/

[Aerows]

116. I'm thrilled that a person that never went through Katrina

tells me what is a crisis in my region and what isn't. In fact, I hope you would advise me on how alarmed I should be because I've clearly never been fucking alarmed enough in my life.

I really want to hear it. And I suspect a bunch of other folks would love to hear it, too.

Go for it. I like you, and I have considered you a friend around here, but if this is the road you want to walk, then walk it.

[truedelphi]

137. You just posted you don't swim in a school of sting rays!

Now I am curious as to why not?!?

Then when folks hassle you, you can not only say "I survived Katrina," but you could add, "I swam with sting rays!"

Anyway, I don't think anyone who is not in the weird situation of not having decent water should be terse with you.

[Aerows]

138. So yeah

I swam with sting rays and heard Katrina go over my house, went out and smoked a cigarette during the eye.

I'm not interested in being bad ass anymore - I want to help those around me because of what happened after Katrina. Desolution changes a person.

[truedelphi]

139. Desolation does change people.

It is commendable that in your case it made you want to help others.

And I love yr sig line.

[dgibby]

99. Not a dumb example at all. Very logical as a matter of fact.

I'm comparing a rare and unusual event to a rare and unusual event. BTW, what would you do in my example?

Re: bathtubs: I have 2 of them, both equiped with grab bars and anti-skid mats. I also take the phone into the bathroom with me whenvever I shower, place it near the tub just in case. Having fallen several times over the last 3 years, I'm not taking any unnecessary chances.

Re: swimming: I'm a good swimmer, and worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor. The key: know your limits, never swim alone, don't get overtired. As for nonswimmers, take the proper precautions, including swimming lessons or at least a course in drown-proofing ones self.

[dgibby]

62. No, I'm not worried about it because

I'm not in an area of the country where it's a problem. I just don't like getting water in my face, and since that's a way to avoid that, I'm sharing it with the op, who is worried (and with good reason). One child has already died, another spent a long time on the critical list in ICU and no one knew if she'd live or be ok if she did live. I'd be taking every precaution I could think of if I were in danger of being exposed to it. BTW, I'm a retired RN. An oz. of precaution is worth a lb. of cure every time.

[Logical]

98. It is in all of the country now. Not just the south anymore. Read more. Start at the CDC. n-r

[Tien1985]

104. Huh-- I didn't realize

Standing with your back to the shower is uncommon. That's the way I've always done it just to avoid water in my eyes.

I'd be pretty freaking concerned about brain eating amoeba too. I'd probably just buy loads of distilled water and sponge bathe.

[dgibby]

119. That and the hot water feels really good on the old back. n/t

[sufrommich]

92. You should go over to Aerow's house and snort

some tap water,Mr.Internet Tough Guy Who Scoffs At Danger.

[Aerows]

94. I'll open the door

He's welcome to come right in. I'll even serve dinner. He needs to leave after that, though. I'm benevolent enough to offer a last supper.

[Logical]

97. Yes, because snorting water is the same as taking a shower. dumb. n-t

[Aerows]

103. Come on over

We're having ribs and cabbage.

EDIT: Both had the heck boiled out of them, but you are welcome to snort some tapwater.

It's leftovers from yesterday, but still tasty.

[Logical]

110. Stay out of the bath tub also. You are 100 times more likely to fall and kill yourself! n-t

[Aerows]

122. What's up with you?

This isn't the Logical I know.

[nadinbrzezinski]

58. only five minutes?

Twenty is the standard.

As to showering, as lobg as you don't swalliw it should be enough

In mexico city it is boiled, my mom also filters it using a tabletop filter.

[Aerows]

59. What kind of filter?

Obviously I'm going to need one for a while.

[nadinbrzezinski]

146. My mom uses the Britta system

[Aerows]

61. Oh, and this isn't a bacterium

This is an amoeba, and they are larger, and it goes up your nose to infest your brain stem and spinal column.

Not that they are delightful or anything .

[PoliticAverse]

87. Note that the 2 people in Louisiana apparently used 'neti pots' to rinse their noses with water...

So um, don't do that...

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-28/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-cdc-ameba-neti-potbre87r136-20120828_1_neti-pots-naegleria-fowleri-ameba

[Aerows]

147. Southern thing, I guess

I've seen my Dad do it.

[PoliticAverse]

85. 20? Not really for water (food bourne contaminants are a different matter).

3 minutes of full boil is sufficient according to the CDC...

http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/safe_water/personal.html

Boiling

If you don’t have safe bottled water, you should boil water to make it safe. Boiling is the surest method to make water safer to drink by killing disease-causing organisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

You can improve the flat taste of boiled water by pouring it from one container to another and then allowing it to stand for a few hours, OR by adding a pinch of salt for each quart or liter of boiled water.

If the water is cloudy,

Filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter OR allow it to settle.
Draw off the clear water.
Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes).
Let the boiled water cool.
Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers with tight covers.


If the water is clear,

Bring the clear water to a rolling boil for one minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for three minutes).
Let the boiled water cool.
Store the boiled water in clean sanitized containers with tight covers.

[kestrel91316]

65. Can you provide a link to your community's water notice online? I'd be happy to

translate it into normal English for you and help you understand what it means for you.

There's brain amoeba, and there's the GI one. When I know which one this is I'll look up info and provide free interpretation services because most of what government entities say about this sort of thing is in Greek.

Meantime, play it safe and boil the water.

[Aerows]

74. Thanks, I can read Latin

and our town is so small I doubt they have progressed that far, but I'll look!

[kestrel91316]

76. I found this re Gulfport:

http://www.gulfport-ms.gov/boil_water.shtml

You folks sure seem to have a LOT of water issues down there. WTH??

[Aerows]

96. Shit tons of rain

which leads to groundwater contamination. We've had enough rain that Noah would have left the region this season.

[kestrel91316]

124. What county are you in? I can try to find out more details on the problem.

[Aerows]

125. Hancock

I'm on the edge between LA and MS.

[kestrel91316]

148. Not finding much, but here's some tips from the state dept of health:

http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/23,14162,148,626.html

http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=10341995
HANCOCK COUNTY, MS (WLOX) - More than 800 people in Hancock County are under a boil water notice. Monday, there was an electrical failure at the main water plant, which caused the entire system to lose pressure. Whenever pressure is lost, contaminates can enter the water supply.

Most of the area impacted is east of Highway 603 in the unincorporated areas of Hancock County. But anyone who gets their water from the Hancock County Water and Sewer District must boil their water before consuming it.

Officials are putting notices out to inform people in the affected area. Testing will begin Tuesday to determine when the boil order will be lifted.

~~~~~~~~~

It isn't because of any amoeba problem. It's to provide them protection from lawsuits if anybody gets an upset tummy or worse from gastrointestinal bugs like garden variety E. coli and such contaminating the water system as a result of that power outage and loss of pressure.

From what I know, Naegleria fowleri is only a problem in lakes, ponds, and unchlorinated/poorly chlorinated pools. You cannot get it from drinking water - it must be inhaled.

CDC has a great deal of info on it.

http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/general.html

This part especially should put your mind at ease:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/infection-sources.html

[tammywammy]

105. And a boil warning after a water main break/repair is very common.

This may really have nothing to do with the amoeba and a simple water main break.

[Aerows]

111. I don't live in Harris county

I live to the west of it where the situation occurred. Gulfport is in Harris County - I'm way closer to St. Bernard Parish.

[Aerows]

135. I'm concerned for my neighbors, one of which has her arm in a sling

another of which is diabetic. No, I have no business caring about them, but I do. It's what a human being does.

[magical thyme]

68. the amoeba can only eat your brain if you inhale the water up your nose or

get it in your ears. So I'd be more concerned about showering in infested water than drinking it.

Are you sure the boiled water notice is about the amoeba and not something else?

[PoliticAverse]

90. Indeed the 2 people that died in Louisana apparently specifically rinsed their noses

using the contaminated water.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-28/lifestyle/sns-rt-us-cdc-ameba-neti-potbre87r136-20120828_1_neti-pots-naegleria-fowleri-ameba

[Aerows]

130. I have no idea, but it is in the adjacent Parish

and we have had tons of rain to get the groundwater mingled.

[Blue Diadem]

71. Here is the Dept. of health information about the water with Naegleria fowleri

http://www.dhh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/1696

How can families protect themselves?

According to the CDC, personal actions to reduce the risk of Naegleria fowleri infection should focus on limiting the amount of water going up a person's nose and lowering the chances that Naegleria fowleri may be in the water. For information on preventative measures, please visit the CDC Website. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/prevention.html

To prevent any risk when using drinking water, make sure water does not go up your nose. Some common sense suggestions from the CDC include:

DO NOT allow water to go up your nose or sniff water into your nose when bathing, showering, washing your face, or swimming in small hard plastic/blow-up pools.
DO NOT jump into or put your head under bathing water (bathtubs, small hard plastic/blow-up pools) - walk or lower yourself in.
DO NOT allow children to play unsupervised with hoses or sprinklers, as they may accidentally squirt water up their nose. Avoid slip-n-slides or other activities where it is difficult to prevent water going up the nose.
DO run bath and shower taps and hoses for 5 minutes before use to flush out the pipes. This is most important the first time you use the tap after the water utility raises the disinfectant level.
DO keep small hard plastic/blow-up pools clean by emptying, scrubbing, and allowing them to dry after each use.
DO use only boiled and cooled, distilled, or sterile water for making sinus rinse solutions for neti pots or performing ritual ablutions.
DO keep your swimming pool adequately disinfected before and during use. Adequate disinfection means:
Pools: free chlorine at 1-3 parts per million (ppm) and pH 7.2-7.8
Hot tubs/spas: free chlorine 2-4 parts per million (ppm) or free bromine 4-6 ppm and pH 7.2-7.8
If you need to top off the water in your swimming pool with tap water,
DO place the hose directly into the skimmer box and ensure that the filter is running.
DO NOT top off by placing the hose in the body of the pool.

[Aerows]

131. Rigorous list

but all sensible. Everyone in my area would be wise to follow them, and I'll print it off for the neighbors. I don't care if I look like an over-protective idiot.

[Posteritatis]

73. Considering only two(2) people have ever survived an N. fowleri infection, I'd err cautious. (nt)

[Aerows]

75. 2 people right now

have died, and one is in ICU.

[cui bono]

88. I would get those wax ear plugs and one of those nose clips people wear for swimming.

The wax ear plugs will mold to your ear canal so it will keep water out of your ears, which happens more to me than getting it up my nose when showering. I use foam ones sometimes for concerts, but my mom has wax that she uses and I believe those would be waterproof.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wax+ear+plugs&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awax+ear+plugs

I think they still make those nose clips/plugs. Use one and just breathe through your mouth.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=nose+plug

Most of all, don't worry if anyone thinks you're paranoid or if this seems stupid. Do whatever makes you feel safer.

[Aerows]

132. Thank you for the suggestion

and I'll suggest it to the neighbors, too, since they are also affected and scared.

[cui bono]

140. You're welcome. And I'm with you... I stopped eating beef when I heard about mad cow disease. n/t

[Warpy]

102. They found some sort of bug in the water

and they'll need users to boil their water until the system has been flushed out. They probably had to increase chlorination to take care of it.

There are a lot of nasty bugs out there, the brain eating amoeba is only one of them. Most of them will affect only immunocompromised people like infants, old folks, transplant recipients and AIDS patients, but it's not worth taking a chance.

Even though Brita filters are supposed to get rid of bacteria, I'd be boiling anything that went into it if they gave us a boil order.

(While your water was off, they were likely flushing out the mains. Stuff in residential lines is still potentially buggy)

It's nice to know that water quality testing is ongoing, at least until Republicans throw the next hissy fit and shut it down.

[tammywammy]

106. Are you sure it wasn't just a water main break?

Boil warnings and water being shut off due to a main break are much more common than the amoeba.

[Aerows]

108. If it hadn't happened after two people died

due to groundwater contamination, and they live 30 miles over, then yes, I'd be over-reacting and so would the water company.

[Aerows]

113. I don't live far from St Bernard Parish, and in fact, my county

is adjacent to it. Now I might be an idiot since I live in the South, but I'm not THAT big of an idiot. We've had a lot of rain, unseasonably wet, and groundwater is going to suffer since we use the same aquifer.

[Ohio Joe]

117. Take their advice and do it my friend...

When I lived in MA, we had the water go out a few times due to broken pipes and they had us boil the water for a day or two after it was restored each time.

[Aerows]

128. I can flush a toilet now

since it is back on. You have no idea how precious that concept was to us during Katrina with 5 weeks with no water. It was Christmas, New Years and the Easter bunny arrived when we could flush the toilet.

[NutmegYankee]

142. Rural life after Irene and Sandy was hell.

No electricity means the well pump is down.

[Alameda]

123. OMG, what a horrible situation

you have my sympathy. Sorry there isn't much else I can offer. It looks like we are going down the 3rd or 4th World path very rapidly. I shudder to imagine your situation.

[Aerows]

133. Look, my neighbors are scared

My next door neighbor has her arm in a sling since she fell, and is scared (I do her grocery shopping for her). The neighbors across the street are scared, where they have someone with diabetes.

I'm not being an ass or overprotective. These are real people and I care about them.

[Aerows]

143. My shoulder is out of whack

but I'm nowhere near as bad off as some of my neighbors.

[Recursion]

145. If you're thinking of not taking waterborne diseases seriously, let me invite you to re-think that

Having lived in the developing world a few times I've learned never to take the US's clean and safe water for granted.

As a few examples:

Mumbai alone has 10,000 deaths per year from waterborne diseases

Between the American Revolution and WW1, waterborne diseases killed on average 5 soldiers for every soldier killed in combat.

The Marathi term for dysentery, literally translated, means "diarrhea without dignity". Ponder that.

Please do boil your water until you get the all clear (and then run every tap for a minute or two before using the water).

If you're a DIY-type, make your own distiller. As an added bonus, if you put in beer instead of water, you get whiskey out of it.

[Hekate]

149. Boil. The. Water. I read about this in the LA Times, and there's one other thing you should know...

The transmission is through the nose -- into the sinuses -- and, via the nerves, into the brain. It is 99% fatal.

The LA Times article explained the route more clearly than this, but I can't find it, so I am referring to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria_fowleri and this http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/

Interestingly, the CDC says: You cannot get infected from drinking water contaminated with Naegleria.

The biggest concern, therefore, seems to be showering and bathing. Who doesn't get some water up their nose when they wash themselves?

They probably turned off the water to chlorinate it. The article I read said that when it was tested, the chlorine levels were "almost undetectable".

This has clickable links at the CD site:
September 2013
The Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) in LouisianaExternal Web Site Icon and CDC have confirmed that the death of a child staying in St. Bernard Parish was caused by infection with Naegleria fowleri and that the ameba was found in the plumbing system of the home and in the water distribution system. DHH has posted an informational document called "Myth vs. Fact" to assist St. Bernard Parish residents during this situation. Further CDC information and guidance about Naegleria fowleri and public water systems is available on this website.
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/