MONROE - Two out of 10 city water samples collected July 8 tested positive for the presence of coliform bacteria.
The city was informed of the positive results by the Department of Natural Resources testing labs in Madison at about noon Thursday. It took immediate action to flush the system with additional chlorine that afternoon.
Water samples collected the following morning tested negative. However, the city continued an increased rate of chlorine injection through the weekend.
Utilities Supervisor Mike Kennison said the increased chlorine level was still within safe standards of drinking water for human consumption.
Director of Public Works Colin Simpson and Kennison informed the Board of Public Works of the situation on Monday.
Simpson said he does not believe the two samples were indicative of a city-wide contamination. Contamination of samples is not uncommon, he said. City water samples are tested once a month.
The samples that tested positive in July were taken at a motor pool at the Green County Highway Department and at the Abraham Lincoln elementary school.
Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves and are naturally present in the environment, according to the DNR. They are, however, used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present.
The original samples had been tested for E. coli and found to be negative.
The presence of coliforms is also a sign of a potential problem with the treatment or in the distribution system (pipes). Because the coliforms were found in more samples than allowed, the city was alerted of the potential problems.
Simpson explained that the presence of coliform does not necessarily mean the bacteria are present in the city water system but may be in the pipes of the facility where the sample was collected.
Airborne bacteria and bacteria on hands can also contaminate the samples or sample containers, Kennison added.
The detection of coliform bacteria in any sample requires follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. No fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria was found in subsequent testing.
Simpson said the city followed the standard operating procedures as laid out for such situations by the DNR and the city. He is also making the city utility's protocol for dealing with positive bacteria samples available on file at the city's website.
The Department of Natural Resources requires municipalities give public notice of positive test results. But, as Simpson noted, by the time the notice is published, this incident had been cleared up for days.
Still, The DNR advises residents to take precautionary measures, by discarding any ice cubes, beverages, baby formula or other food items made with the water between July 8 and July 10, 2014, and cleaning their containers or icemakers. The DNR notice stated that infants, some elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems may be at increased risk. Anyone with questions can contact the Green County Health Department. Questions about specific health concerns should be directed to your doctor.
The city was informed of the positive results by the Department of Natural Resources testing labs in Madison at about noon Thursday. It took immediate action to flush the system with additional chlorine that afternoon.
Water samples collected the following morning tested negative. However, the city continued an increased rate of chlorine injection through the weekend.
Utilities Supervisor Mike Kennison said the increased chlorine level was still within safe standards of drinking water for human consumption.
Director of Public Works Colin Simpson and Kennison informed the Board of Public Works of the situation on Monday.
Simpson said he does not believe the two samples were indicative of a city-wide contamination. Contamination of samples is not uncommon, he said. City water samples are tested once a month.
The samples that tested positive in July were taken at a motor pool at the Green County Highway Department and at the Abraham Lincoln elementary school.
Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves and are naturally present in the environment, according to the DNR. They are, however, used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present.
The original samples had been tested for E. coli and found to be negative.
The presence of coliforms is also a sign of a potential problem with the treatment or in the distribution system (pipes). Because the coliforms were found in more samples than allowed, the city was alerted of the potential problems.
Simpson explained that the presence of coliform does not necessarily mean the bacteria are present in the city water system but may be in the pipes of the facility where the sample was collected.
Airborne bacteria and bacteria on hands can also contaminate the samples or sample containers, Kennison added.
The detection of coliform bacteria in any sample requires follow-up testing to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. No fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria was found in subsequent testing.
Simpson said the city followed the standard operating procedures as laid out for such situations by the DNR and the city. He is also making the city utility's protocol for dealing with positive bacteria samples available on file at the city's website.
The Department of Natural Resources requires municipalities give public notice of positive test results. But, as Simpson noted, by the time the notice is published, this incident had been cleared up for days.
Still, The DNR advises residents to take precautionary measures, by discarding any ice cubes, beverages, baby formula or other food items made with the water between July 8 and July 10, 2014, and cleaning their containers or icemakers. The DNR notice stated that infants, some elderly and people with severely compromised immune systems may be at increased risk. Anyone with questions can contact the Green County Health Department. Questions about specific health concerns should be directed to your doctor.