Wastewater Burglars Urged To Seek E. Coli Treatment

Authorities in southeast Indiana have cautioned those responsible for breaking into a local wastewater treatment plant to check into a doctor’s office as quickly as possible.

Police said that sometime on November 7 or early the next day, someone broke into the plant and stole several items, also vandalizing other items.

"During the burglary the suspect(s) came into contact with strains of E. coli that were in an incubator so they need to seek medical attention immediately!!" local police wrote in a Facebook post.

Signs and symptoms of E. coli infection usually begin a few days after exposure to the bacteria. Symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, pain or tenderness, nausea, and vomiting.

In places such as Old Town Alexandria, VA each time it rains, raw sewage spews into the Potomac River to the tune of about 11.3 million gallons a year.

The sewage that enters the river can lead to excessive amounts of E. coli and has been found in high levels along the part of the river that borders Alexandria.

According to The Washington Post, under order from federal authorities, Alexandria is “launching an expensive effort to capture and contain overflows in three locations,” that should address most of the issues.

During flooding in 2013, Colorado had had issues with E. coli. The bacteria entered the water system in the town of Lyons, where residents were informed of the outbreak.

“We don’t want you using any of the water,” Victoria Simonsen, a town official, said per the Los Angeles Times.