Press Release – January 9, 2025
In regard to testing, monthly, there are there are two groups of samplings done with EPA provided sites. Once those samplings are provided to the Illinois EPA it takes 24/30 hours to be analyzed. Upon a failed test we are notified immediately. It is not uncommon to get a failed sample. Upon a passed test, we are notified weeks later with the results.
The initial testing tests total coliform bacteria, which is a generic test for the presence of bacteria. If that initial test comes back as a failure, we then are required to resample at the site upstream and downstream, which gives them three samples per site. The resample is then tested more specifically for bacteria such fecal coliform, e-coli, etc.
The timeline that has led up to this week’s events. There was miscommunication in offices, we stated that the sample was taken Monday, January 6th when it was in fact taken Tuesday, January 7th. The City of Clinton provided the Illinois EPA with a monthly sampling Tuesday, January 7th. We were then notified Wednesday, January 8th that those samplings failed, and the public was notified immediately. Thursday, January 9th the Illinois EPA has been provided with the retest samplings. The results from those samples should be in within 24/48 hours, we then will await further instruction from the Illinois EPA.
The statement released yesterday January 8th regarding the issues with odor and color, the issues and remedies related to color and odor have been an ongoing issue for months. The lime softening system and CO2 systems have been experiencing issues for the last couple of months, the sampling from these tests have come back with no issue as well as multiple boil order samples throughout town. It is possible to produce water with no lime or CO2 systems running that is safe to drink.
The City of Clinton Water Department along with Illinois Rural Water Association IRWA has been working expeditiously, we will keep the community aware as we are given notification from the Illinois EPA.
Illinois EPA can be reached at 217-782-3397
City of Clinton Water Department 217-935-6511 or 217-935-3432