Tainted Drinking Water Shuts Down Campground
The contamination of drinking water by a microscopic organism that can cause severe illness has prompted the closure of an Angeles National Forest campground in the San Gabriel Mountains.
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday shut down the Crystal Lake recreation area, north of Azusa and Glendora on California 39. The presence of the organism, known as Giardia, was discovered after campground employees became ill. The campground water supply was shut off last week, but rangers decided to close the facility when it appeared that campers were still finding ways to use the water.
Symptoms from exposure to Giardia can be cramps, nausea and diarrhea, lasting a few days to a few weeks after fouled water is ingested. Infants and small children can become gravely ill and Forest Service officials urged those who believe they may have been exposed to be tested for the organism. The Forest Service in Arcadia can be reached at (818) 574-5200 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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