Williamsburg Waterpark, Hotel Closed Because of Boil Order

By Erin Jordan, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jul 9, 2012 at 2:09 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 9, 2012 at 11:17 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Several Williamsburg businesses have been closed since Friday because of a boil order issued after E. coli bacteria were found in well water.

The Johnson County Public Health Department required the Wasserbahn Waterpark to close on Friday after the Department of Natural Resources found E. coli in well water that serves the facility, deputy public health director Tricia Kitzmann said. Johnson County conducts pool inspections for Iowa County.

The Clarion Inn, which houses the Wasserbahn, is also closed, as is the nearby Maid-Rite restaurant, Kitzmann said. The Casey’s General Store is open, but cannot prepare food, she said.

DNR officials are conducting continued tests to determine the source of the bacteria, Kitzmann said.

Most types of E. coli, which lives in human intestines, are harmless. However, toxigenic strains can cause diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea that can, in extreme cases, cause kidney failure and even death, especially in young children. The bacteria can be passed by eating contaminated food or swallowing pool water tainted by human or animal waste.

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