Stratford, OK — A water contamination scare has left residents of Stratford, Oklahoma, grappling with a boil advisory after traces of E. coli were detected in the town’s water supply. The advisory, issued by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), followed routine water testing that revealed potential contaminants in the town’s drinking water.
The situation began when a monthly water test conducted by DEQ returned positive for chloroform, a substance that can be a sign of bacterial contamination. In response, DEQ required the city to conduct follow-up testing at eight different locations throughout Stratford. One of those tests came back positive for E. coli, a harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness, prompting the advisory to protect residents’ health.
Since the announcement Friday night, the town has been in a state of uncertainty, with residents being urged not to drink the water until further notice. Many people received the boil advisory via text message, and some were even visited by city officials to ensure they were informed. Local businesses have temporarily closed their doors, and the normally bustling downtown area has been eerily quiet.
Janetta, a Stratford resident, described the impact on daily life as “hectic.” She explained that not having access to safe drinking water for basic needs like cooking, cleaning, and drinking has caused significant disruptions. “Everyday usage is just not the same,” she said. “It’s been stressful.”
To help mitigate the situation, volunteers and local businesses have stepped in. Belva, a local who lives outside of Stratford, donated several cases of bottled water to the church and shared with friends in need. Coca-Cola, based in nearby Ada, also contributed by donating six large pallets of bottled water to be distributed at Stratford’s Town Hall.
The boil advisory remains in effect as DEQ continues to monitor and test the water supply. Though officials are optimistic that the advisory could be lifted as early as Thursday, the final decision rests with DEQ, who will evaluate the results of ongoing water tests before making any changes to the advisory.
In the meantime, residents are advised to boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth. The city is also working to identify and address the source of the contamination, which could be linked to aging infrastructure or other environmental factors.
As the community waits for further updates, the solidarity among residents has been evident, with many offering help to those in need. The crisis has highlighted the importance of regular water quality monitoring and the role of local businesses and citizens in times of emergency.
“We just want to get back to normal,” said Janetta. “Hopefully, it’s over soon.”
