As of approximately 3:25 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, Monroe County residents received an advisory to boil their water due to an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) directive after a violation of drinking water standards. This advisory comes as a necessary precaution when the standard for “turbidity,” a measure of how clear or cloudy the water is, is exceeded. According to the City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU), high turbidity itself poses no direct health risks but can hinder the disinfection process and create a favorable environment for microbial growth. This widespread advisory affects not just CBU customers but all residents of Monroe County, as CBU serves as the wholesale supplier to other water utilities within the county.
If Your Water Appears Murky, Run Cold Water from a Faucet or a Bathtub Until It Runs Clear
One of the first steps residents should take if their water appears murky is to run cold water from a faucet or a bathtub until it turns clear. The cloudiness in the water can often be attributed to tiny particles that can be flushed out by letting cold water run for a sufficient amount of time. While the murkiness might not pose an immediate health risk, it is essential to ensure that the water runs clear as a preliminary step before further treatment. This advisory remains in place for all Monroe County residents, emphasizing the importance of this simple yet effective measure during the boiling advisory period.
Despite the initial murkiness, it’s crucial to understand the underlying cause of this advisory. The heightened turbidity level, identified on Friday, August 16, surpassed IDEM’s permissible limit of 1 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU). Increased turbidity usually results from suspended particles in the water. In this specific incident, the particles have been identified as sand used in the water treatment process. Due to operator error, a portion of this sand, used during disinfection, mistakenly entered a subsequent phase of the treatment process, leading to elevated turbidity.
Boil All Water Used for Drinking, Cooking, and Brushing Teeth for at Least 2 Minutes Before Using
Following the advisory, residents are instructed to boil all water used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth for at least two minutes prior to consumption. Boiling water effectively eliminates harmful bacteria and other microorganisms that may be present in the water due to compromised disinfection. This recommendation aims to protect public health until the water quality meets standard safety levels. Regardless of whether the water appears clear after running cold water, it must still be boiled to ensure its safety for consumption and oral hygiene.
The precautionary boil water advisory cannot be lifted until a thorough round of tests confirms that the water is safe for consumption. Communications from the CBU, represented by Holly McLauchlin, indicate that these tests are expected to be completed by Monday at the latest, though they might conclude sooner. Until further notice, Monroe County residents must adhere to the boiling advisory to prevent potential health risks. It’s also noteworthy that the particles causing the turbidity primarily consist of sand, a common element in the water treatment process. The elevated turbidity stemmed from an error during the backwashing process, resulting in some sand-laden water progressing to the next treatment phase.
There is No Need to Boil Water for Other Purposes
On Saturday, August 17, around 3:25 p.m., residents of Monroe County were alerted to boil their water following a directive from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). This advisory was issued due to a breach in drinking water standards. The issue stems from an elevated level of “turbidity,” which measures how clear or cloudy the water is. The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) informs us that while high turbidity itself doesn’t pose immediate health risks, it can disrupt the disinfection process and create conditions conducive to microbial growth. This advisory isn’t limited to just CBU customers; it impacts all Monroe County residents, given that CBU serves as the wholesale water supplier to other local utilities. Therefore, it’s crucial for everyone in Monroe County to follow the boil water advisory to ensure their water is safe to use. This precaution will remain in place until further notice, pending additional testing and confirmation that the water meets safety standards.
