published3. August 2022, 18:35
Drinking water ban in Lucerne“There hasn’t been an event like this for over 20 years”
For almost a week, the drinking water in the Langensand-Matthof family and residential area in the city of Lucerne has been contaminated by bacteria and has to be boiled. And there is no improvement in sight, the specific cause is still unclear.
Residents in the affected area have been instructed to boil their drinking water.
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On Sunday, July 31, the EWL announced that the drinking water in certain areas is polluted and drinking is not allowed. Many of those affected are upset regarding the sparse and late information.
EWL
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The municipal energy supplier EWL found bacterial contamination in the drinking water on Friday, July 29th. The Langensand-Matthof district in the city of Lucerne is affected.
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The residents were only informed on Sunday morning using a flyer on the front door.
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For days they have had to boil the water first or switch to mineral water.
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As an on-site survey shows, many residents of the neighborhood complain regarding the poor communication on the part of the EWL. You feel let down and under-informed.
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It is still unclear where the drinking water comes from.
The residents of the Langensand-Matthof district have had to be patient for days. All water from the tap must first be boiled before it can be used – or you can go straight to bottled mineral water. On Friday, the municipal energy company EWL determined that the drinking water was contaminated by dangerous lactic acid bacteria (20 minutes reported).
The status is still unchanged, according to a recent statement from the EWL. Samples are taken continuously, the last on Tuesday evening. However, it takes 24 hours from acceptance for bacteria to appear in the laboratory. “There hasn’t been an event like this at EWL for over 20 years. This is a completely new situation for us too, »says EWL Co-Head of Marketing and Communication, Nadja Kunz, at the request of 20 minutes.
Cause still unknown
It is still unclear whether a construction site caused the bacterial pollution. “We’re trying to locate the leak as quickly as possible, but we can’t provide any further information at this point,” says Kunz. The EWL is in intensive contact with the food control and consumer protection department to clarify the cause.
The water tanks of the EWL have already been completely emptied umpteen times. Flushing is intended to remove the contaminated water. The values of the samples taken indicate that the contamination is caused by lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria occur in humans, animals and in foods such as milk, and are used to preserve foods such as yoghurt or cheese. However, some species can also cause diseases. This can be particularly dangerous for older, weakened people, people with an unstable immune system and babies.
Residents are upset regarding communication from the EWL
Although many residents show understanding for the necessary measures, they are annoyed by the sparse and late communication from the EWL. Ramon Huskaj lives in the affected area. He describes them Situation opposite 20 minutes: «It’s difficult because we don’t know exactly what’s going on. We were only informed on Sunday morning by a note on the front door. Until then we drank the contaminated water». Chad Salzer, another person affected, complains: “It would have been nice if we had been informed earlier. They’ve known that for a long time and we drank the polluted water for a few days. Luckily I was able to get a couple of water bottles from the gas station.”
The EWL is concerned. “It’s an emotional issue. We understand that it is difficult for those affected. However, the residents were informed immediately. So we distributed flyers in the affected houses on Sunday night, »explains Kunz. In addition, the police and the press were informed immediately.
How long the residents of the Langensand-Matthof district will have to continue to boil the drinking water is anyone’s guess. The EWL called a press conference on Friday. It is to be hoped that by then the leak will have been found and that the cause can be rectified as soon as possible.
Boiling the water, for example, when brushing your teeth, washing food, preparing food or washing dishes by hand.
Use mineral water for drinking and as baby food.
If the contaminated drinking water has already been drunk, those affected should be careful. If high fever, diarrhea and/or vomiting occur within 48 hours, a doctor must be consulted immediately.
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