Press Release - Alamosa Boiled-Water Order Lifted
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2008
CONTACTS
Mark Salley, 303.692.2013
Alamosa Joint Information Center, 719.587.5223
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
ALAMOSA BOILED-WATER ORDER LIFTED
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has lifted the state-imposed "boil water order" for the city of Alamosa.
Initially, the state issued a "bottled water order" on March 19 due to a salmonella outbreak associated with the city's municipal water supply. The bottled water order was modified to a "boil order" on April 3 after the city completed a chlorination disinfection process of the city's water storage and distribution facilities. That boil order was lifted today.
"The citizens of Alamosa have shown their character and resiliency in getting through what has been a unique public health emergency in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "While the state was able to quickly mobilize assistance to the community, I want to commend Alamosa city and county employees and its residents for working together during this hardship."
As of April 8, Alamosa had reported 389 cases of salmonella, with 107 of those cases confirmed by laboratory testing. Sixteen people were hospitalized.
The state's Division of Emergency Management, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs all played essential roles in responding to the Alamosa emergency. More than 30 agencies, from metropolitan water districts to state agencies and congressional offices provided assistance.
Following a declaration of emergency by city officials on March 21, Gov. Ritter signed an emergency declaration for the community's salmonella outbreak that was effective retroactively to March 19. This declaration designated the Division of Emergency Management as the lead agency at the state level in responding to the emergency and authorized the state agencies to send personnel as appropriate to assist the city and county of Alamosa. The declaration also earmarked up to $300,000 in state funds to be used to support the response efforts in Alamosa.
The investigation of the cause of the salmonella contamination in the city's water system is ongoing. The city's water supply will continue to be chlorinated -- as are most drinking water systems in the state -- to help protect the water from future contamination.