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Red Cross Distributing Bottled Water In San Luis

SAN LUIS, Colo. (AP) -- The American Red Cross is distributing bottled water to residents of San Luis, after the town's drinking water supply tested positive for E. coli.

The Red Cross says the water will be available free to residents through the weekend at the town fire station.

After routine tests detected E. coli bacteria in the water supply this week, residents were told to boil their tap water for at least three minutes before using it, or to use bottled water.

The San Luis Water and Sanitation District supplies drinking water to the town of 629 from groundwater wells. It is working to disinfect its system.

E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and sometimes kidney failure. The very young, the elderly and those with weak immune systems are the most susceptible.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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