Precautionary Boil/Bottle Water Ordered for the Village of Greendale
October 02, 2011 | 07:30 AM Posted by the Health Department
Village to Provide Bottled Water While Further Testing is Underway
On Sunday, the Village of Greendale issue a precautionary boil / bottled water advisory after routine water supply testing by the Village of Greendale Water Utility detected the presence of coliform bacteria in the Village’s drinking water supply. While coliform itself is not harmful, it can indicate the presence of other potentially harmful bacteria, and its presence is a violation of State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations. The Greendale Water Utility has begun work to remedy this situation and is conducting additional tests today and Monday to confirm that no additional bacteria are present.
“Per the DNR statutes, the Greendale Department of Public Works is conducting additional water sampling today and Monday to confirm that no coliform bacteria is currently present in the water,” said Mark Uecker, superintendent of Utilities, Greendale Department of Public Works. “Final results are expected on Tuesday morning, at which time we will provide an update to Greendale residents.”
What do I need to do? Ice, food, and any beverages prepared with unsafe water must be discarded. You should boil or use commercially bottled water for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice, and washing hands before eating. Water does not need to be boiled for showering. If you boil water, the water should be heated to a rolling boil for at least ONE minute before use. Ice should be made from boiled or bottled water.
As a precautionary measure, please consume only boiled or bottled water until we inform you that our sampling shows that no bacteria are present. We are working to resolve this problem as soon as possible.
What is Coliform Bacteria? Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any fecal coliform or E. coli in our subsequent testing.
For More Information: Questions regarding this precautionary boil/bottle water advisory should be directed to the Village of Greendale at (414) 423-2100; the Greendale Water Utility at 414-423-2135; or the Greendale Health Department at (414) 423-2110.
Fact Sheet: Bacteria in Drinking Water, Public Health Advice
On Sunday, the Village of Greendale issue a precautionary boil / bottled water advisory after routine water supply testing by the Village of Greendale Water Utility detected the presence of coliform bacteria in the Village’s drinking water supply. While coliform itself is not harmful, it can indicate the presence of other potentially harmful bacteria, and its presence is a violation of State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations. The Greendale Water Utility has begun work to remedy this situation and is conducting additional tests today and Monday to confirm that no additional bacteria are present.
- Complimentary bottled water will be available for Greendale residents only at the Department of Public Works, 6351 Industrial Loop in Greendale, on Monday, October 3, 2011 from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Greendale public schools WILL be open on Monday, October 3, 2011 and bottled water will be provided to all students.
“Per the DNR statutes, the Greendale Department of Public Works is conducting additional water sampling today and Monday to confirm that no coliform bacteria is currently present in the water,” said Mark Uecker, superintendent of Utilities, Greendale Department of Public Works. “Final results are expected on Tuesday morning, at which time we will provide an update to Greendale residents.”
What do I need to do? Ice, food, and any beverages prepared with unsafe water must be discarded. You should boil or use commercially bottled water for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice, and washing hands before eating. Water does not need to be boiled for showering. If you boil water, the water should be heated to a rolling boil for at least ONE minute before use. Ice should be made from boiled or bottled water.
As a precautionary measure, please consume only boiled or bottled water until we inform you that our sampling shows that no bacteria are present. We are working to resolve this problem as soon as possible.
What is Coliform Bacteria? Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems. Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any fecal coliform or E. coli in our subsequent testing.
For More Information: Questions regarding this precautionary boil/bottle water advisory should be directed to the Village of Greendale at (414) 423-2100; the Greendale Water Utility at 414-423-2135; or the Greendale Health Department at (414) 423-2110.
Fact Sheet: Bacteria in Drinking Water, Public Health Advice
