MATTOON, Ill. (WAND)- The City of Mattoon was under a "Do not Drink" order for three days after high levels of microcystin, a toxin released by algae, were found in their drinking water.
The toxin came from the algae growing in Lake Paradise, which is where Mattoon pulls their water from.
Mattoon City Manager Kyle Gill said the city cannot test microcystin down to the levels of danger. Instead, the Illinois EPA has to get involved to test the water.
"Our testing equipment does not go down to the lower limits that this is done, so the state comes in and tests periodically," said Gill. "Sometimes it's every week, sometimes it's every couple weeks, just depending on the rates that they do see."
Gill explained that on July 2, the ILEPA came in to test the water, and detected the microcystin at .216, which is within the safe range. When they returned to test on July 10, the microcystin was at .35. Because this was above the .30 limit, the IL EPA required Mattoon to release a "Do not drink order."
Gill said they do not have confirmation as to when the microcystin reached a dangerous level, but are working to determine ways to start testing for it themselves.
Dave Clark, the Mattoon City Public Works Director, said the process of testing for these types of chemicals is not easy.
"It's definitely more involved than just scooping water and sticking a stick in there," said Clark. "IT has to go in certain types of bottles and be transported under ice to the EPA lab in Springfield."
Clark said there are very few places in the state that can test for this type of toxin.
So far, city leaders say no one has reported having any sort of symptoms from water exposure. They are still working on connecting with everyone involved in response efforts to see if any additional planning or work needs to be done in case this happens again.
Gill says the EPA will be returning to Mattoon several times in the next few weeks to ensure the water remains within safe levels.
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