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DEQ ORDER Motel must boil water Spring runoff brings annual problem to Super 8 near West Yellowstone By JOE KOLMAN Gazette Bozeman Bureau WEST YELLOWSTONE - A boil water order was issued this week for a motel west of town because fecal coliform bacteria, or E. coli, were found in the water supply. The state Department of Environmental Quality issued the order June 14, effective immediately, to the Super 8 Lodge. It mandates that drinking water, including that available in the 44 rooms, be boiled before consumption. Terry Oksa, one of the owners of the motel, said the lodge is still open and customers are being provided with bottled water. The cause of the contamination remains a mystery, but Eugene A. Pizzini of the Community Services Bureau of the DEQ said the presence of bacteria is more common during spring runoff. He added that the Super 8 has had water problems this time of year for the last three years. In April, the lodge was placed on a health advisory after mandatory water samples showed the presence of total coliforms, which could mean the water is contaminated by such things as vegetation, soils or insects, according to Rick Duncan of the DEQ. The next set of tests in May came back clean. However, tests from earlier this month revealed contamination by the more serious fecal bacteria. Sources could include rodents, birds or sewage. Drinking water contaminated with fecal coliforms could result in diarrhea, cramps, nausea, jaundice, headaches and fatigue. Oksa said one possible source of the contamination could be a nearby horse pasture. The boil order will remain in effect until the state confirms there are no fecal coliforms present in test samples.
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