Colfax under boil/bottle water advisory

An error in the water computer system caused a loss of water pressure Sunday in the Colfax water system according to village officials.

A precautionary boil water notice is being issued, as a loss of water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the water system.

Once the system pressure is fully restored, the water utility will test the water for coliform bacteria. At this time, it is unknown if contamination has occurred.

Once the water has been tested, the notice will be lifted if results are negative.

Be sure to take the following precautions:

Ice, food and any beverage prepared with unsafe water must be discarded.

Boil or use commercially bottled water for drinking, food preparation and making ice.

If boiling 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.

The earliest results will be completed Wednesday.

Visit the village website to find out the status of the water samples, or postings can be found at the clerk’s office, bulletin boards in front of the village hall and library, the post office and the Colfax Laundromat.

COLFAX, Wis. (RELEASE) -- On June 10, 2017, a system SCADA error, water computer system, caused a loss of water pressure in the Colfax water system. As a precaution a boil water notice is being issued at this time. A loss of water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the water system.

Once system pressure is fully restored, the water utility will test the water for coliform bacteria. At this time it is not known if contamination has occurred. Once the water has been tested, this notice will be lifted if the water tests negative for coliform bacteria.

We routinely monitor for the presence of drinking water contaminants. The presence of coliform bacteria including fecal bacteria in your drinking water is a violation of State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations.

What precautions should be taken at this time?

Ice, food, and any beverages prepared with unsafe water must be discarded. You should boil or use commercially bottled water for drinking, food preparation, and making ice. 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.

What is being done to correct the problem?

Chlorination began on Saturday, June 10, 2017 and will continue until two required safe samples have been received from a certified testing lab. The earliest both results will be complete is Wednesday, June 14th, 2017.

You should use 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.

The Village will notify of the safe samples through our website, www.villageofcolfaxwi.org under the News/Events tab and at our four posting locations, Clerk’s Office, Bulletin Board in front of the Village Hall and Library, Post Office and the Colfax Laundromat.

Thank you for your patience and understanding through this process.