WALKERTON, Ontario — The water plant manager of an Ontario town stricken by an outbreak of E. coli that killed seven people, publicly apologized this week, telling an inquiry he didn?t have the experience to deal with the situation.

Seven people died and 2,300 were sickened when wells were contaminated with E. coli bacteria this Spring. It is believed that flooding swept cattle manure into town wells in May. Stan Koebel was in charge of the water plant at the time of the contamination.

“I didn’t have enough educational background and experience,” Koebel told an inquiry on Monday, according to Associated Press.

People began getting sick shortly after the flooding on May 12. Koebel received test results on May 18 that showed E. coli contamination. Rather than notifying town and health officials, Koebel tried to remedy the situation by adding chlorine and flushing the system.

By the time provincial authorities took over the water system at the end of May, five people had died and hundreds more were hospitalized.

In previous testimony, witnesses have portrayed Koebel as a manager who regularly cut corners and falsified regulatory information about the town’s water quality, according to the AP. Koebel has admitted in court to providing false information about water samples.

Authorities are said to be considering criminal charges.

–Jeff VanPelt