DENVER -- Residents in Alamosa were told to avoid tap water Wednesday after health department officials found salmonella contamination in the city's tap water.

Officials said people should immediately stop using tap water from the city's water system for drinking and cooking.

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More Information: Statement from Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

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A spokeswoman for the city said residents were safe to boil their water before using it. Otherwise they should use bottled water.

"Water to be consumed should be brought to a rolling boil, but there is no need to boil longer than 15 seconds," said spokeswoman Ellen T. Cohen.

However, residents must start using bottled water when the city begins flushing out the system.

The cleaning could take up to a week, Cohen said.

During the cleaning, residents will not be able to boil the water to clean it, she said. Instead officials recommend everyone stock up on bottled water.

"Only bottled water should be consumed from the time the flushing of the system begins until further notice from city and state officials," Cohen said.

To date, 33 cases of salmonella have been confirmed and linked to the outbreak, and another 46 reported cases of salmonella are being investigated by health officials, Cohen said.

"I am very troubled by the drinking water situation in Alamosa. The risk that a possible contamination is currently imposing on the health and well being of thousands of residents is worrisome," said Sen. Ken Salazar in a statement. "I will do whatever I can at the federal level working with state and local authorities to get to the bottom of this."

Salmonella is a common bacteria than can cause serious illness. It often comes from contaminated food, but can come from contaminated water.

Information about salmonella is available at the COHELP line 1-877-462-2911. People can call for recorded information between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., Monday through Friday.

State consumer protection officials provided the following guidance during the bottled water order:

At home, use bottled water for cooking, drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing dishes and for adding to any food especially for the preparation of baby formula.

Home-style/domestic dishwashing machines are adequate for sanitizing if the heat drying cycle is applied.

Bathing and showering in the water should present no problems for healthy individuals. Exercise caution not to ingest water during such activities.

No commercial food preparation should be done unless approved by the local public health agency.

Consider using prepared food from an alternative approved source.

Use only prepackaged foods that do not require any additional preparation other than heating in its original container.

Frequently wash hands and apply hand sanitizer after washing.

Do not touch food with bare hands. Use disposable gloves.

Use frozen/canned produce.

Purchase packaged potable ice.

Do not use water to wash plates, cups and utensils. Use only single-service utensils, such as paper plates, napkins, cups, plastic spoons, forks and knives.