MONTOUR BOIL ADVISORY TRACED TO UNAUTHORIZED USE OF FIRE HYDRANT

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ted Petersen, DNR, at 515-725-0268 or [log in to unmask] or Rhonda Guy, city water treatment operator, at 641-521-0741.

 

MONTOUR – The city of Montour in Marshall County has issued a boil advisory after a drop in water pressure Sunday afternoon.

 

All residents should boil water until tests show that water is free from bacterial contamination and safe to drink.

Residents should let water boil for one minute and cool before using. They should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Untreated water can be used for bathing and similar purposes.

 

The pressure drop occurred when a resident connected a hose to a fire hydrant to fill a swimming pool. When pressure is low, there is a chance that bacteria could enter the system. Unless authorized by the operator of the drinking water system, use of hydrants for purposes unrelated to emergency situations is not allowed. 

 

The city is taking water samples for bacterial testing today and Tuesday. City staff is working to ensure the situation does not occur again.

 

The earliest that test results will be back is Wednesday. The DNR or city will notify residents when the advisory is lifted.

For more information, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426-4791 for general guidelines on ways to reduce risks of infection.

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