Residents of the Dutch Utrecht region are being advised to boil their water for three minutes before use due to contamination by the enterococcus bacterium, reported water company Vitens on Saturday morning.
The contamination affects parts of Utrecht, Bilthoven, Bosch en Duin, Bunnik, De Bilt, Groenekan, Maarssen, Oud Zuilen, Tienhoven, Westbroek, and Zeist, according to the company.
The enterococcus bacterium occurs naturally in human intestines. While it generally does not pose risks for healthy individuals, consuming contaminated water can occasionally lead to stomach or intestinal complaints. Therefore, Vitens recommends boiling water before drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth with it.
Vitens has urged shoppers to leave bottled water on store shelves for people who are unable to boil water, ensuring availability for those most in need.
At an Albert Heijn supermarket on Twijnstraat in Utrecht, water has become a highly sought-after item, as reported by a journalist from the ANP news agency. On Saturday morning, a queue of around ten people had formed before the store’s opening to stock up on bottled water. Supermarkets in the region were later forced to order additional supplies.
The contaminated water reservoir responsible has been taken out of use. Vitens will lift the boiling advisory only after two consecutive clean sample results. “We cannot speed up this process — it must be done carefully,” said a spokesperson. The results are expected by Tuesday afternoon. If tests conducted on Saturday show lingering contamination on Monday, the boiling advisory will be extended.
