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JEFFERSON COUNTY – More than 500 customers of a Jefferson County water system are under a boil water notice after E. coli was found in water samples.

The Mississippi Department of Public Health on Friday issued a boil water notice for all customers who get their water from the Union Church Waterworks Association in Jefferson County.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice was issued due to the presence of E. coli bacteria in routine sampling. The notice affects 521 connections.

Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. This precaution will last at least two full days, and water system officials will be notified when the boil water alert is lifted.

According to MSDH, fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children and people with severely compromised immune systems.

You can monitor the status of boil water notices here.