NATCHEZ &045; By today, Natchez water customers should receive letters notifying them that samples taken in July violated state standards for coliform bacteria.

Two of 20 samples taken that month showed the presence of coliform bacteria. The Mississippi Department of Health only allows one positive sample per month.

The bacteria, which are naturally present in the environment, are themselves not harmful to the general population.

&uot;There’s no threat to the public &045; if there had been, we would have notified people immediately,&uot; Waterworks Operator Phillip Webb said.

But those with already compromised immune systems who have specific concerns should consult their doctors, according to the notice.

Coliform bacteria can be an indicator that other, more harmful bacteria are present in the system.

However, Natchez Water Works personnel immediately disinfected its well and distribution system after the violation was found. And additional samples taken about one month ago showed no presence of coliform bacteria or more harmful bacteria, such as E. coli or fecal coliform, Webb confirmed Tuesday.

&uot;We don’t know how (the coliform bacteria) got into the system Š or it could have been due to a testing error, either on my end or (the Health Department’s) end,&uot; Webb said.

Webb said this is the first coliform bacteria violation the system has had in years &045; &uot;at least since I came here, and that was 10 years ago.&uot;