Condos' water is shut down as officials seek E. coli cause

By John David Sutter

Published: July 26, 2008

DISNEY — The state Department of Environmental Quality issued an emergency water shutdown Friday for a condominium complex on Grand Lake because of sewage contamination.

Drinking water from a private well at the Windmill Run Marina Inc., on the east side of the lake, is contaminated with E. coli and a harmful virus, according to the department. At least 62 people have become sick since late June, said Skylar McElhaney, the department's spokeswoman. All have caught a norovirus, she said, which causes vomiting and flu-like symptoms.

Sam Page, owner of the complex, said the department is chasing down two leads.

"The DEQ is not sure if it's lake water pushing into the water table for the well or if it is possibly septic. It's just kind of up in the air right now,” he said by phone.

He said the condo complex is looking for another water source.

The complex was cited May 27 for failing to supply water quality testing results, McElhaney said.

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