August 1, 2003 (CAPE CORAL, Fla.) — Some residents here are crying foul after learning that utility workers mistakenly hooked up four homes to the city's treated wastewater instead of its purified drinking water.
One family used the substandard water for more than three months. Two other homes were hooked up about a month ago, and a fourth was vacant, officials said.
The wastewater comes from residential sinks and toilets. It is filtered and treated with chlorine, but that doesn't eliminate parasites that can cause gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea, said Lee County Public Health Director Dr. Judith Hartner.
"Mistakes were made," City Manager Terry Stewart said Wednesday. "The best we can do is make it right."
The wastewater is sanitized at one of the city's treatment plants before being routed back to residents' lawn irrigation system. It often is blended with fresh water from canals.
Although the lines have been fixed, there are health concerns for the residents.
Ron Kazel, who learned Wednesday that his water had been connected to the irrigation system since June, would not comment on whether he and his wife were experiencing health problems.
"I'm livid," Kazel said.
Since detecting the problem, the city has flushed and chlorinated the lines, and agreed to pay for any medical bills or other costs associated with the problem. You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
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