Williams Bay water contaminated; high temps led to increased nitrite
Williams Bay water contaminated by nitrite
An urgent water warning continues in Williams Bay and we now know this all began after two kids got sick. For the time being, water bottles are being provided to residents.
WILLIAMS BAY, Wis. - An urgent water warning continues in Williams Bay.
And we now know this all began after two kids got sick.
Using bottled water
What we know:
"No water today. No water."
It hasn't been easy running a business when tap water isn't safe to consume.
Williams Bay water contaminated with nitrite; not safe for drinking, cooking
Williams Bay Waterworks is advising its residents to not use the tap water for drinking or cooking until further notice. That is because water testing has indicated elevated levels of nitrite.
"You need the water, you know? Yes, you do," said Juan Basurto.
Basurto is making it work. He owns the Bay Cooks Restaurant and is part of a farmer's market that took place on Friday.
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Like most people in Williams Bay, he's relying on water bottles to get by.
Handing out water bottles
"Everything, for making my salsas, my soup," he added.
High temps lead to increased nitrite
What we know:
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a do-not-drink order in Williams Bay after health officials alerted them when two children became sick.
Their blood was unable to properly carry oxygen.
The DNR found elevated levels of nitrite in the drinking water.
Experts say high temperatures likely caused microorganisms to interact with naturally occurring ammonia in the groundwater.
Waiting in line to get bottled water
"Critters, for lack of a better term, are growing in the pipes at a small amount, and they’re actually creating nitrite from that ammonia," said Steve Elmore from the DNR.
The village has been flushing the system and adding chlorine to the water.
"We hope that the mitigation strategy will have worked," Elmore added.
Leaders have authorized using $100,000 for emergency supplies and bottled water.
On Thursday, 8,000 gallons were handed out. A day later, there are 23,000 gallons still available with more on the way,
"It's scary with small children and if you have a pregnant daughter, it’s quite a scare," said Donna McGrath.
McGrath has extra concern with special visitors in town, but like many, she's staying optimistic that things will be back on track soon.
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"I’m very confident they’ll figure it out, but I’m also confident that they understand the seriousness of it, and they’re on it," said McGrath.
The water will be available for as long as the water is unsafe to drink.
The village will be holding a special meeting about the situation on Tuesday, Sep. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.
The Source: FOX6 has previously reported on the water contamination in Williams Bay, and also spoke to residents and the DNR to produce this story.