Water Boil Order Issued in Minooka

From the Minooka Public Works Department

E. coli bacteria and total coliform bacteria were found in the water supply on June 10. These bacteria can make you sick, and are especially a concern for people with weakened immune systems.

Bacterial contamination can occur when increased run-off enters the drinking water source, it can also happen due to a break in the distribution system (pipes) or a failure in the water treatment process.

What should I do? What does this mean?

• DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

• E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

• The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their healthcare providers about drinking this water.

What is being done?

System wide assessments and re-sampling are being completed. The source is believed to be the sampling point water fixture; however, as a precautionary requirement, a boil order must be issued. We will inform you when tests show no bacteria are present and you no longer need to boil your water. We anticipate sample results to be analyzed by late Sunday afternoon, June 12.

For more information, please contact Ryan Anderson at 815-467-8868 Ext. 2303 or go to www.minooka.com. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by bacteria and other disease-causing organisms are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses).