CLINTON, Ill. (WAND) — Following the Illinois EPA visit to the Clinton Water Treatment Center last Thursday, Clinton officials are still trying to figure out what caused the failed water samples on January 8 that led to a city-wide boil order.
City of Clinton Water Commissioner John Wise said that an Illinois EPA representative came to the Clinton facility to test additional samples. "There have been 20 plus samples since that boil order was issued. There was 12 original. And the first group, there was eight more and then five for regular sampling for the period. All of them came back negative. No coliform, no bacteria of any kind." He explained that there was never a reason for widespread panic. "There was never e-coli that was tested. The very first round when they found the bacteria they took that there was never a really serious health issue."
Still, Wise said that trying to figure out what caused the failed samples has been a journey without an end. "It's just been real frustrating as to figure out why those five samples didn't make it." The City of Clinton will have to conduct and internal investigation and complete Illinois EPA forms.
However, the water in Clinton is safe for use and consumption. "The citizens should be very aware that we have no problem. The water is safe. It's clear. If it does have a little bit of a coloration, that's because of, in iron, and, you know, but that has been clearing out. We've had that plant running now for over, you know, almost two weeks now, and things are clearing up and things are doing great," Wise explained.
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