White Pass Ski Area is open for business unhindered after recent heavy rain and a brief battle with E. coli contamination slowed its opening.
Lewis County announced in a Friday news release that the local government along with Washington state officials have determined that the water at the White Pass Ski Area is once again safe to drink.
A routine water test of the area's water system just a week earlier showed evidence of E. coli bacteria contamination.
The new declaration means the county is also lifting an advisory issued after the test that urged residents to boil water from the system to avoid health problems from drinking contaminated water. Since the original positive E. coli test, the system has been disinfected, flushed and retested for signs of continued contamination.
“We appreciate the cooperation of White Pass Ski Area and the patience of guests and staff during this process,” Lewis County Public Health and Social Services Director Meja Handlen said. “The system has met all state requirements, and testing confirms the water is safe.”
According to the county, the water boiling advisory was a precautionary measure. County officials expect the contamination was likely caused by recent heavy rainfall and flooding, which is a known cause of contamination in septic and well water systems.
The timely resolution of the contamination was the result of a quick response by local and state governments and the cooperation of the White Pass Ski Area.
E. coli is a strain of bacteria that is known to cause a range of infections, gastrointestinal problems being the most prevalent. Lewis County urges anyone who has consumed water from the White Pass Ski Area water system and is experiencing symptoms of an E. coli infection to seek medical care.
Symptoms of an infection include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. For more information on the recent outbreak, call Lewis County Public Health and Social Services at 360-740-1223 or 360-740-2747.
