The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued a boil order for the City of Bartlesville water system based on sample test results taken last week in one of the system’s 40 testing sites.
“We had a test result indicate bacterial activity in a sample taken at the 21st Street and Dewey Street location late last week,” said Water Utilities Director Terry Lauritsen. “This is one of the 40 testing sites throughout our water district.
“One of those test results, from samples pulled July 9, showed a positive result for E. coli. Those samples are sent to an independent laboratory for analysis, and we were notified late Thursday of the results. However, subsequent testing on July 11, with results received on July 12, yielded negative results for E. coli, though the sample site did test positive for coliform, which is an indicator of bacterial activity, which by itself is harmless. Subsequent testing on samples pulled July 11 adjacent to the failed test site were negative for both coliform and E. coli.”
Lauritsen said anytime a sample tests positive for coliform, that sample is automatically tested for E. coli.
City crews are currently flushing the lines in the affected area as a precaution, he said.
“We are flushing and testing that part of the system extensively and will be sending samples to the independent laboratory of the entire system this evening,” Lauritsen said. “If those samples pass, which we will know by tomorrow evening, the boil order will be removed.”
Lauritsen said while he believes the positive result last week is more likely a flaw with the sampling site than with the City’s water safety, Bartlesville water customers should boil their water for 60 seconds before ingesting it until the City is removed from the order.
Bartlesville water customers include: Bartlesville, Dewey, Ramona, Ochelata, Strike-Axe Hwy 60, Osage County, RWD No. 1, Strike Axe (Chimney Rock), Washington County RWD No. 2, Bar-Dew Water Association Inc., Washington County RWD No. 5, Washington County RWD No. 1, Nowata County RW & S District No.
“We believe this positive test is due to an anomaly with the sample station and does not reflect the overall safety of the water,” Lauritsen said. “We are doing all the necessary tests to demonstrate that and hope to be off the boil order by tomorrow.”
DRINKING WATER WARNING
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING or USE BOTTLED WATER
Bartlesville water is contaminated with E. coli
- coli bacteria were verified in the Bartlesville Public Water Supply on 7/12/2025. These bacteria can make you sick, and they are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems.
What should I do?
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring water to a full, rolling boil for one minute before drinking, preparing food, making baby formula, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, bathing infants who may drink bath water, or for cleaning open wounds. Boiling the water kills bacteria and other disease-causing agents. Alternatively, use bottled water or another acceptable source for consumption.
Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.
The following water systems purchase water from Bartlesville, and are therefore also under the mandatory boil order:
Strike-Axe Hwy 60, Osage Co. RWD #1, Strikeaxe Airport, Strike Axe (Chimney Rock), Dewey Public Works Authority, Washington Co. RWD #2, Bar-Dew Water Association Inc., Le Ann Water, Ramona Public Works Authority, Washington Co. RWD #5, Ochelata Utility Authority, Washington Co. RWD #1, Nowata Co. RW & S Dist. #1
What happened? What is being done?
Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source (for example, following heavy rains). It can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.
We are working with DEQ to handle this as soon as possible.
We will inform you when this problem has been corrected. We anticipate resolving the problem as soon as possible based on ODEQ’s advice.
For more information, please contact Bartlesville at 918.338.4107.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1.800.426.4791.