City of Baxter under drinking water advisory

The Baxter Water Supply released information Thursday about a potential contamination of the City of Baxter’s water supply. Residents are asked not to drink or cook with the water.

According the release, the Baxter Water Supply experienced equipment failure in the distribution system and the system lost pressure late Wednesday night. Due to the potential for bacterial contamination, it is being recommended that bottled water or an alternative source be used.

The manganese levels may be above the Health Advisory Level. Manganese in drinking water is a serious health concern.

Residents who have consumed the water before the advisory was issued so not need to be alarmed. These measures are being implemented as a precaution. The water is safe to use for washing dishes and doing laundry. The water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes as well.

The Iowa DNR has been notified of this at time of occurrence and made the decision to put this advisory into affect mid-morning Thursday as a precautionary measure.

For more information, contact Shawn Fuller, public works director at 641-227-3354. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

The system has been repaired, re-pressurized and bacteria samples will be collected. This advisory is a precaution until bacterial sample results are available. You will be notified when the results are available and the advisory is lifted. Saturday will be the earliest possible time for the advisory to be lifted dependent upon bacterial samples taken over the next two days.

When water service is restored, there may be air in your water piping and the water may be discolored. It is recommended to run the first water from a faucet that does not have an aerator screen, such as a bathtub or hose bib. Open the faucet slowly to allow the air to escape. Once the water is flowing, allow the faucet to run until it is clear. The water may be cloudy at first due to air in the water or particles that dislodged as the pipes filled with water. This should clear fairly quickly. If water is cloudy throughout the house and it does not clear after allowing the water to run for several minutes, contact Fuller.

Below are some potential risks to consuming water with high levels of manganese:

• Do not give the water to infants. Infants below the age of six months who drink water or formula made with the water containing manganese in excess may have impacts to their learning and behavior.

• Do not give water to adults and children older than 6 months old. Adults and children over six months of age who drink water containing manganese in excess may have neurological health issues.

• Do not boil the water. Boiling, freezing, filtering or letting water stand does not reduce the manganese level. Excessive boiling can make the manganese more concentrated, because manganese remain behind when the water evaporates.