"Total coliform" was found in the water at East Hampton High School and the school is bringing drinking water is as a precaution, according to the Superintendent of Schools in East Hampton.
Supt. Diane Dugas said total coliform, a naturally occurring, non-harmful bacteria, was found during routine water testing, and there is no concern about hand-washing or cooking.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water. They typically do not make you sick.
Microbes that do cause disease are hard to test for in the water, so "total coliforms" are tested instead, according to the CDC. If the total coliform count is high, it is possible that harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, and parasites might also be found in the water.
The school is bringing an alternate drinking water source as a precaution and flushing the system with chlorine.
They expect the situation to be cleared up in a day and Dugas said it has occurred before at this school.
