High River ponds contain E. coli months after flood

A potentially deadly strain of bacterium, called E. coli 0.157, has been found in two ponds in High River, Alta., according to water test results conducted for CBC News.

CBC hired the independent water-testing companyBenchmark Labsto examine water in the flood-ravaged community south of Calgary.

The tests also discovered that three bodies of water in the town exceeded provincial recreational guidelines for total coliform bacteria, said Benchmark Labs head Chris Bolton.

Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. James Talbot released a statement to the media on Thursday reacting to the discovery of E. coli.

The story that aired on CBC Calgarys Sept.26 morning show identifies a threat of E. coli in a standing water pond that is not a human drinking water source, said Talbot.

He stressed that public health officials have tested High Rivers drinking water extensively since the flood and said it remains safe.

The fact that there still is E. coli in the floodwater around High River is not unexpected. Its also very common to have E. coli 0157 wherever there are dogs, cats, wildlife or runoff from livestock operations, he said.

We continually track E.coli 0157 infections rates in this province. We did so before the flood, during the flood and after the flood, and there have been no cases in High River this year."

Benchmark Labsdid not test drinking water in the town, butBolton worries aboutpotential contamination.

• Listen to his full interview on theCalgary Eyeopener.

Bolton warned against High River children and pets playing in or around water.

Residents concerned

High River resident Miguel Rodriguez shares that concern.

Junes flood swamped his familys home in the hard-hit community of Hampton Hills.

"I'm afraid to let my kids out and play. There's contamination there for sure, Rodriguez told CBC News.

Bolton is also worried about pets making humans sick.

If your pet's out in the water bringing the wet fur back ...then, that is of immediate concern," he said.

The water expert worries about a deadly repeat of Canada's worst-ever outbreak of E. coli contamination in Walkerton, Ont., roughly 13years ago. Tainted water in the town killed seven people and made another 2,300 sick.

"With 0.157,everyone knows what that is. [It]can make you seriously ill or die, Bolton said.

He wonders why provincial authorities havent warned the public.

Most people assume that it's OKbecause there is no public health notice, he said.

When it had its big flood its 100-year flood that came two weeks after the one we had here in Calgary, Ontario immediately posted public health notices once they found levels that were very similar to these," Bolton said.