Williams Bay water crisis continues; restaurants get creative, adapt
Williams Bay water crisis continues
Restaurants are adapting to a "do not drink" order in Williams Bay. It's been nearly a week since nitrite contamination sickened two children.
WILLIAMS BAY, Wis. - The "do not drink" order in Williams Bay remains in effect nearly a week after nitrite contamination left two children sick, and restaurants are still adapting to the crisis.
Local perspective:
These local restaurants are getting creative.
At Pier 290, Executive Chef Ken Hnilo said the team prepared for Labor Day weekend – one of the busiest for the restaurant – with workarounds.
"We got five-gallon water jugs that we are filling pots and cooking off things," Hnilo said.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
Dave Freese, vice president of operations at Gage Marine, said the restaurant was forced to close briefly but quickly adjusted.
"It’s all hands on deck," Freese said. "Nothing gets used from this at all because it uses tap water to supply."
Freese said the restaurant ordered 16,000 bottles of water, 920 pounds of ice, soda and dozens of five-gallon jugs for cooking water.
Williams Bay water crisis continues; chlorine flushing underway
Williams Bay remains under a "do not drink" order after nitrite contamination sickened two children.
"All day long, we have probably four or five people that are helping keep the water supply fresh in the kitchen," Freese said. "I know I spent about $8,000 on ice."
A trailer outside is now serving as a fridge and freezer for water and ice.
Dig deeper:
Hnilo said they have been able to keep a full menu, with the biggest challenge being fresh greens.
"Lettuces and salads are probably the most challenging things just because we get beautiful greens from different farmers, and we have to clean and wash them, which takes a lot of water and a lot of time," he said.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
Village crews continue to flush the system with chlorine and conduct testing. At a board meeting Tuesday, leaders said a treatment plant upgrade is planned for November.
What's next:
Bottled water distribution continues at Williams Bay School District, where staff are also ensuring kitchens and classrooms have safe supplies for the school year.
As far as how long folks will have to endure contaminated water, village leaders have not been clear.
The Source: The information in this post was collected and produced by FOX6 News.