POST FALLS - The city of Post Falls announced on Thursday that routine water samples taken on Tuesday revealed the presence of total coliform bacteria in the Majestic View area east of Pleasantview Road on the north side of the Spokane River.

Resampling on Thursday also revealed the presence of the bacteria in the same area.

Terry Werner, public services director, said all other routine samples taken throughout the city came back absent for total coliform bacteria.

"This is not an emergency," Werner said, adding that residents do not need to boil their water. "Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful."

The city is flushing the hydrants in the system and will be turning on the chlorination equipment for the affected area. Residents may temporarily notice a slight smell or taste to their water.

Werner said construction tie-in projects on the city's west side may have caused the problem.

"We had a black plastic bag come out of one of the hydrants," he said.

Testing of the water samples takes 24 hours to process and the city must have two consecutive days of absent samples. When results are available, the city will update the information and notify the public as to the status of the water.