According to reports, a potentially fatal brain-eating amoeba was found in a water system supplying water to nearly 97,000 people in the Houma region in Terrebonne Parish; however, state health regulators have said that the water is potable.

It has been confirmed by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals that the Naegleria fowleri amoeba is present in the Schriever Water System in Montegut.

In the face of presence of the amoeba, officials said residents can use the water for drinking; however, people should keep it away from their noses. Infections as a result of Naegleria fowleri are very rare. DHH tested the water system under new public drinking water surveillance program in the state.

According to Michael Sorbert with Terrebonne Consolidated Waterworks District 1, "This is a major concern, you know, people are just concerned - I got a brain eating amoeba in my water! What the heck is that? We've been talking about this for two years, now it hits closer to home".

DHH has asked officials of the system to increase chlorine levels for 60 days in order to make sure that any amoebas, if remaining in the water system, are removed. On Monday, the parish started the chlorine burn. Reports say that it will also carry out a similar burn in the Houma Water system as a safety measure.

As per reports, each summer, DHH carries out sampling of public drinking water systems for Naegleria fowleri when temperatures increase.