Metro-east city has E. coli in the water. Here’s what to know about risk, symptoms
After Cahokia Heights residents found E. coli in their drinking water, those in the metro-east may be wondering what exactly the bacteria is and what kind of illnesses it can cause.
E. coli is a group of bacteria that can cause infections in several parts of the body, including the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract.
“Most of the time, it can live in your gut without hurting you,” the Cleveland Clinic’s website says. “But some strains can make you sick with watery diarrhea, vomiting and a fever.”
E. coli does normally live in people’s guts, even if they are healthy, and helps people digest food. But while most types of E. coli are harmless, some strains can cause illness, and infection can be serious.
Populations at the greatest risk of E. coli infection include children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65, people with weakened immune systems and international travelers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Illness onset typically occurs three to four days after exposure to E. coli bacteria, the Mayo Clinic reports, and common infection symptoms include mild to severe diarrhea, stomach cramping and nausea and vomiting.
To avoid E. coli infection, the CDC recommends following food safety tips and drinking pasteurized milk and juices rather than unpasteurized. It’s vital to avoid unsafe water, the CDC advises, though that may be easier said than done for people whose taps aren’t providing clean water.
To remove E. coli O157, the most common strain to cause illness in people, the CDC recommends boiling your water for one minute (or three minutes if you’re at an elevation above 6,500 feet), disinfecting water, using a filter or using another water treatment method.
Between 100 and 200 cases of E. coli O157:H7 are reported in Illinois each year, according to the state’s public health department.
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This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 11:07 AM.
