Boil Order Issued

Oklahoma State Department of Health officials have issued a boil order for an Oklahoma marina and townhomes after 43 people became ill and one person was hospitalized.

The illnesses are among residents and visitors of the Windmill Run Marina and townhomes near Disney.

The presence of fecal bacteria was found in initial water samples. Department of Environmental Quality spokeswoman Skylar McElhaney says officials haven't confirmed that to be the reason for the illnesses.

A "Boil Advisory" is issued by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality as a preventive measure when a water supply may be unsafe.

The News On 6's Chris Wright reports some people have come down with gastro-intestinal illness.

The condos at Windmill Run are located on a secluded stretch of Grand Lake shoreline. Many haven't been able to enjoy the view recently, though, because of an illness afflicting the weekend warriors.

The Department of Health has posted boil advisories on doors, but many people who live in the condominium community only visit on the weekend. So, some have gotten sick and returned to other Green Country Towns.

"Worst they have ever been sick in their entire lives," said Dan Ziemann, Windmill Run Resident.

Since the 70's, Tulsa resident Dan Ziemann has spent his weekends at Windmill Run. He had friends and family visiting from all over the country over the Fourth of July, and says everyone got sick.

"This was something totally different. The convulsions you would have from it were violent and rapid," said Ziemann.

Ziemann says he immediately suspected the water, and began avoiding it. He won't avoid Windmill Run though. He will continue to drive up there this summer, but plans on paying strict attention to the boil advisory.

"So when I go back this weekend, it will be a major scrub down and cleansing of the condos," said Ziemann.

Anyone who has visited Windmill Run and is not feeling well is encouraged to call the Health Department at (405) 271-4060.

Officials say some people got sick a few days after staying there, so they may have not realized they became ill on the lake.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health recommends the following guidelines for water usage during a boil advisory:

You should not ingest or allow your pets to ingest tap water or ice made from tap water during a "Boil Advisory."

• Boiling water, when practical, is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for

1 minute will kill most organisms.

• When boiling water is not practical, you can treat water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or unscented household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite)
  
• If you use chlorine tablets or iodine tablets, follow the directions that come with the tablets.
• If you use household chlorine bleach, add 1/8 teaspoon (~0.75 mL) of bleach per gallon of water if the water is clear. For cloudy water, add 1/4 teaspoon (~1.50 mL) of bleach per gallon. Mix the solution thoroughly and let it stand for about 30 minutes before using it.  Note: Treating water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or liquid bleach will not kill parasitic organisms.
  
• If you use bottled water, be sure it is from a safe source. Commercial bottled water, such as that purchased at a grocery or convenience store, can be assumed to be safe as it is bottled in an inspected and licensed facility.
  
• Do not use untreated water to brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula.

If possible, use baby formula that does not need to have water added. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands prior to handling formula.

The affected tap water may be used for washing dishes if a dishwashing machine is used, provided the dishes are then immersed for at least one minute in a sink of water to which one full tablespoon of regular household bleach per gallon of water has been added. If dishes are hand washed, boiled or bottled water should be used.

• Use a bleach solution to rinse water containers before reusing them. Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. For example, fire truck storage tanks and previously used cans or bottles may be contaminated with microbes
  or chemicals. Do not rely on untested devices for decontaminating water.
• The affected tap water may be used for bathing, showering, washing clothes, and watering plants.
• After the boil order has been lifted or water service resumes, these precautionary measures should be followed:

1. Flush your water lines by running cold water for at least 1 minute.
2. Clean the water-using fixtures and appliances of standing water and ice, such as refrigerator icemakers or coffee makers. Disposal of at least the first two batches is recommended before use.