Associated Press - October 7, 2009 12:04 PM ET

MALTA, Idaho (AP) - Students at schools in Malta are being warned not to drink the water after coliform bacteria was discovered last week.

Drinking fountains are covered in garbage bags and thirsty students are being given bottled water to sip until the school's water is found to be safe again.

Parent Jaylin Harper, who has four children attending schools in Malta, says contaminated water has been a problem for years, but students are still expected to wash their hands in the contaminated water and to shower in it after physical education class. She says all of her kids have experienced gastrointestinal problems that she attributes to the schools.

Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com

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