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Eastern Carolina's Experts - You've Got Questions, We've Got Answers.
FIRST ON WITN: Health Director Fields Water Questions Save Email Print
Posted: 2:32 PM Jun 26, 2008
Last Updated: 2:32 PM Jun 26, 2008
Reporter: Bill Wilson

A | A | A

Pitt County's health director updated the public and answered questions about water contamination in Greenville.

Dr. John Morrow was live on WITN News at Noon.

Here are some of the topics viewers had questions with:

Showering. The big risk is getting contaminated water in your mouth. You can shower as long as you don't get water in your mouth or in an open wound.

Washing dishes. Dishwashers do not get hot enough, but your could run the dishwasher and then manually rinse them with clean water.

Laundry. Washing your clothes is okay.

Swimming. That's fine because of chemicals already in the pool. But as always, do not drink the pool water. Also be careful about using any water spigots around the pool.

Automatic ice makers. Dr. Morrow says don't use that ice until tests come back. You may be urged to dump the ice and clear the lines later.

What about my pets? Yes, they too can become sick if they drink water contaminated with E. coli.

Watering gardens is okay since E. coli lives in the ground anyway. Of course, if you choose to eat some of those veggies, then you should wash them off with clean water first.

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Posted by: Debra Sermons Location: Greenville on Jun 27, 2008 at 12:37 AM
when will it be alright to drink water and take a shower,i haven,t taken one sence tuesday.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 26, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Is contaminated water still in pipes? What about refrigerator ice makers? How can lines be cleared as suggested.

Posted by: Vance Location: Greenville on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:28 PM
Anti bacterial soap? Does using AB soap get rid kill the contamination? Regular soap?

Posted by: Abigail Location: Greenville on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:25 PM
What about shaving? You can shower as long as you don't the water in an open wound, but what if you nick yourself? And... Thank you Harris Teeter!

Posted by: Jaimee Location: Winterville on Jun 26, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I want to thank Harris Teeter for their very generous donation of water yesterday and this afternoon for families. As a new mother, I was very grateful to receive more water for bottles. Thank you Harris Teeter!

Posted by: Sam Location: Greenville on Jun 26, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Did the hospital know monday when it was dicovered?

Posted by: Charlie Location: Greenville on Jun 26, 2008 at 01:13 PM
What about doing laundry?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Laundry is okay. He answered that in the interview....we'll add it to the story. Thanks!


Posted by: PUZZLED on Jun 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Yesterday Pitt County Health Director Dr. John Morrow said it's not a good idea to even shower with the water. In an interview today at noon with WITN Dr. Morrow said you can shower as long as you don't get water in your mouth or in an open wound. Why did your opinion on the potential risks of showering change so quickly while our knowledge of the problem hasn’t changed.

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