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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH (WGNO) - "We do not have a good distribution center where the amoeba that's in our water can be contained," says Reserve resident Joy Cantrelle.

"We just come to realization that our water is polluted. We don't drink it. We're scared to take a bath in it," says Water District #1 resident Wendy Andry.

St. John Parish residents are frustrated and concerned. On August 27 a deadly brain eating amoeba was detected in the water supply serving Water District #1, and hours later a chlorine burn was initiated.

Now those living there feel haunted by both the chlorine and the deadly amoeba.

"Look at this, came out of my water (chlorine levels). I can't smell this. It's killing me. I'm 22 years cancer free and now I'm dying from this," says Reserve resident Sandra Remondet.

"The amoeba was in your distribution system months before you detected it. It's there now, and it will remain there,"

Bob Bowcock, Chief Environmental Investigator with Erin Brockovich addressed a crowded room of anxious residents before the Parish Council meeting, and then addressed the council.

He says residents must not back down, calls the situation in St. John scary, and believes the EPA must get involved to properly clean the harmful gunk building up inside pipes.

"You've created super biofilm. You have super nitrification in your distribution system that no matter how hard you try to chlorine burn them out they're just going to continue to get worse," says Bowcock.

Bowcock says the chlorine burns are making the situation worse. He says the parish should send a message to the state and get the EPA involved.

At this point the parish is saying they hope to continue the chlorine burn another 60 days pending DHH approval.