Monroe water alert continues, closes schools again

5/26/2011
BLADE STAFF

MONROE — An order to boil water continued Thursday for users of the Monroe water system because of the presence of coliform bacteria, and the alert has closed the schools system for a second day.

City residents as well as those living in Maybee and parts of Monroe, Raisinville, Exeter, Ida, LaSalle, and London townships who get water from Monroe should continue to boil water vigorously for one minute and let it cool before using it, or use bottled water.

Because of the advisory that was issued Wednesday afternoon, Monroe Public Schools again will be closed Friday.

The city said boiled water or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, including dishwashers, and preparing food until further notice. The alert doesn’t include water used for bathing, showering, and laundry.

Mayor Robert Clark said tests of the water system, which serves 15,000 households, businesses, and other facilities, showed the presence of coliform bacteria in the water supply that exceeded state health standards. Coliform bacteria can cause stomach illness if ingested.

He said that while testing of the system is continuing, the alert cannot be lifted until the supply tests negative for at least 18 hours.

The city is adding additional chlorine to water at the filtration plant and flushing mains and reservoirs in the system as well as checking sections that are under construction to determine the source of the contamination.

“We are checking into every possibility,” Mr. Clark said. “We are taking all possible avenues into consideration.”