Associated Press - November 28, 2009 8:45 PM ET
PORTAND, Ore. (AP) - Portland water officials say residents west of the Willamette River should boil their drinking water to guard against E. coli bacteria.
The Water Bureau said Saturday its notice applies to customers in the city, as well as to those in the Valley View, Burlington and Palatine Hill districts.
It says the bacteria were found in Reservoir 3 in Washington Park. It's being drained.
The notice says tap water for cooking, drinking or ice should be brought to a rolling boil for at least a minute, and ice or beverages prepared with unboiled tap water should be pitched.
The bureau says E. coli found in water aren't generally the strains the public associates with serious illness - but the specific strain hasn't yet been identified.
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