The inquiry has already heard how heavy May rains washed E. coli-laden cattle manure into one of the town's wells. The deadly strain, which has an uncanny ability to survive for days in cold water, is easily killed by chlorine that should have been flowing through town pipes. At very least, bacteria should have been detected by rigorous water sampling and testing. But even when they were detected, the inquiry has heard no one knew how dangerous they were. At his news conference, McQuigge suggested no system is foolproof.
Today is a day for optimism.
But there was little celebration. For some, the pain of death and illness remains fresh. For others, suspicion about who will run the system in future lingers. Getting the town back to normal won't be as easy as turning on a tap, McQuigge conceded. I hope that will happen over time.