Residents in Hallormsstaður boil drinking water for weeks due to E. coli contamination

In Hallormsstaður, residents have been boiling their drinking water for the past three weeks after E. coli bacteria were detected in the local supply. The functioning of radiation equipment designed to eliminate these bacteria has raised concerns, leading some to question its reliability. The tools, often outdated, may not provide proper warnings in case of malfunction.

The contamination was first reported on October 16, when the municipality informed residents that the water was unsafe. A single E. coli bacterium was identified in a sample taken just a week prior. Following this, the water utility attempted to replace a bulb in the radiation device meant to kill the bacteria, but this proved ineffective, and subsequent tests indicated worsening pollution.

Lára Guðmundsdóttir, director of East Iceland’s Health Inspection Agency, emphasized that not all radiation devices can be trusted. Newer equipment with warning systems that notify operators when light intensity falls below safety thresholds is now on order for Hallormsstaður.

Additionally, there are plans to upgrade the water distribution network, and similar measures are being considered for Borgarfjörður eystri, where contamination has also been an issue. Past incidents, like a malfunctioning radiation device in Seyðisfjörður earlier this year, have further highlighted the risks of relying on these systems without adequate backups.

To mitigate risks, it is vital that radiation devices are connected to backup power sources to prevent contaminated water from entering distribution systems during outages. Maintaining clean drinking water is a priority, and the health agency insists on boiling tap water before consumption until the situation is resolved.