Urgent warning in three states after bottled water brand found to contain  bacteria

An urgent warning has been issued to bottled water consumers in three states after one brand was recalled due bacteria contamination.

Berkeley Club Beverages was forced to recall 150,000 water bottles sold in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found coliforms in the product.

Coliform bacteria is an indicator that there may be more harmful microorganisms in present, including E. coli which can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and watery or bloody diarrhea.

The recall includes Berkeley Springs Water Purified and Berkeley Springs Water Distilled in one- and five-gallon bottles.

It applies to those with the codes 090326, 090426, 090526 and 090626, which can be found on the side of the bottle.

While the amount or type of bacteria has not been revealed, the FDA has a zero limit for coliform. 

It's generally advised for any recall that people stop using or consuming the affected products and either throw them away or contact the producer for the next steps, or risk become ill with diarrhea, vomiting or stomach pains.

The recall, issued in September, was assigned a Class III classification on Friday, meaning exposure to the bacteria 'is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.' 

Berkeley Club Beverages voluntarily recalled its product on September 12 and as of November 13, the FDA terminated its investigation.

That means the company has taken all the necessary steps to correct the issue or remove the product from stores, but the warning was for consumers still holding on to the tainted bottles.

Although Class III is considered the lowest, there is still a risk that the bacteria in the water can make consumers sick.

Coliforms are most often present in human or animal waste and end up in drinking water because of surface water contamination.

This could be cause by surface water runoff - when rain or snow seeps into a well through cracks in the well casing - through a poorly maintained septic system or when drinking water pipes are connected to garden hoses or laundry sinks.

Although most coliform bacteria doesn't cause disease, it can be indicative of E. coli strains that can cause serious illness.

In more severe cases, E. coli can develop into a blood disorder called hemolytic uremic syndrome which can lead to blood clotting, kidney disease, seizures, stroke, coma and in rare cases, death.

Infants, children the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of getting sick or dying from bacteria in their water.

Bottled water can become contaminated with coliforms and other bacteria during the fabrication process, which is when raw water is collected in tanks and large debris like leaves and rocks are removed.

The water then undergoes pre-treatment, where small particles like mud and sand are removed before it's put through a distillation process and is disinfected with chemicals like chlorine or UV light to kill any remaining bacteria. 

If there is any contamination in the equipment or personnel at the bottling plant during the fabrication process, it can provide an avenue for bacteria to enter the bottled water after it's been sterilized.

The EPA 'considers total coliforms a useful indicator of other pathogens for drinking water.'

Detecting coliforms in water is a method 'used to determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system,' according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

The recall marks the third company to experience a recall in the last 12 months.

In March, more than 78,500 cases of Figi Natural Artesan Water were recalled due to the presence of bacteria and mineral manganese which can cause memory and attention problems, and cause infants to develop learning and behavioral issues.

Waiakea Hawaiian Volcanic Water Naturally Alkaline Electrolytes Deep Well Water was also recalled in November 2023 when customers complained their were unidentified 'floating particles' in the water.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Berkeley Club Beverages, Inc for comment.