Universal Turns Off Water Fountains
TOKYO (AP) -- Universal Studios Japan shut off the refrigerated drinking fountains in its theme park on Mon-day after health officials found high levels of bacteria in the fountains' water. Universal Studios spokesman Johta Takahashi said all 32 of the park's refrigerated fountains — about a third of all fountains in the park — would stay off until the company solved the problem. For now, park staffers were handing out bottled water to thirsty visitors. Osaka city health department official Kenji Maeda said water samples from six refrigerated fountains had between 110 units per milliliter and 220 units per milliliter of "general types" of bacteria — above the recommended levels of less than 100 units per milliliter. One milliliter equals 0.03 fluid ounces. Officials did not mention any specific types of bacteria. "There is little chance that the water would sicken people, but it could eventually breed harmful bacteria in the large intestines," Maeda said. Maeda said the company had not been ordered to turn off the fountains. Bacteria levels at the park's non-refrigerated fountains were within stan-dards, he said. Samples were taken from the park on Friday. In November last year, a health inspection found that the park had piped industrial-use water not suitable for drinking to many of its drinking fountains. The company fixed the problem within days. Universal Studios Japan opened on March 31 last year in Osaka, Ja-pan's second-largest city, 250 miles west of Tokyo.
TOKYO (AP) -- Universal Studios Japan shut off the refrigerated drinking fountains in its theme park on Mon-day after health officials found high levels of bacteria in the fountains' water. Universal Studios spokesman Johta Takahashi said all 32 of the park's refrigerated fountains — about a third of all fountains in the park — would stay off until the company solved the problem. For now, park staffers were handing out bottled water to thirsty visitors. Osaka city health department official Kenji Maeda said water samples from six refrigerated fountains had between 110 units per milliliter and 220 units per milliliter of "general types" of bacteria — above the recommended levels of less than 100 units per milliliter. One milliliter equals 0.03 fluid ounces. Officials did not mention any specific types of bacteria. "There is little chance that the water would sicken people, but it could eventually breed harmful bacteria in the large intestines," Maeda said. Maeda said the company had not been ordered to turn off the fountains. Bacteria levels at the park's non-refrigerated fountains were within stan-dards, he said. Samples were taken from the park on Friday. In November last year, a health inspection found that the park had piped industrial-use water not suitable for drinking to many of its drinking fountains. The company fixed the problem within days. Universal Studios Japan opened on March 31 last year in Osaka, Ja-pan's second-largest city, 250 miles west of Tokyo.
