The Portland Water Bureau issued a boil water notice on Saturday after E.coli bacteria were found in a Washington Park reservoir. Customers who stay west of the Willamette River and in the Valley View, Burlington and Palatine Hill water districts are affected as per the release.

Around 50,000 people living in Portland are affected. The tap water in these areas used for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled to the fullest for about one minute before consumption.

Any beverages or ice which is prepared should be discarded. This warning was issued in response to the detection of E. coli in Reservoir 3 in Washington Park. The reservoir was taken out of service Saturday morning and is in the process of draining it.

The exact strain of E. coli is not known currently but it is sure that the most hazardous strains which are associated with serious illness are not typically found in water supplies.  Original samples are presently being tested to find out if the strain is harmful to humans.