Discovery of E. coli in Spanaway leads to school closures

SPANAWAY -- About 20,000 households and businesses have been told to boil water after the discovery of disease-causing bacteria, and 10 schools were closed Thursday as a precaution.

The Spanaway Water Co. issued the notice Wednesday afternoon after the discovery of E. coli in routine tests of two water samples in this suburb south of Tacoma and next to Fort Lewis.

Tests were pending on samples from all of the company's wells and three storage tanks, and the state Health Department was working with the utility to determine the source of the contamination, officials said.

Residents were urged to boil tap water at least five minutes or to use bottled water for brushing teeth, washing dishes, preparing food or making ice.

The water company also opened a clean water station at a Home Depot store.

Two high schools, two junior highs and six elementary schools with a total of about 8,000 students were closed by the Bethel School District, which has a total enrollment of more than 17,000.

E. coli, which is found in human and animal feces, can cause diarrhea and other digestive ailments that can result in dehydration and more serious health problems, especially in children and the elderly.