MATTOON, Ill. (WAND) — In the face of a water crisis that has gripped the City of Mattoon, residents and community organizations have stepped up to provide relief, hope and a steady stream of support.
The crisis began last week when city officials issued a "Do Not Drink" advisory after unsafe levels of microcystin—a toxin produced by harmful algal blooms—were detected in the water supply. On Sunday, the city lifted the advisory, but was reissued just two days later.
The advisory caught many residents off guard and forced families to once again find alternatives for basic needs such as cooking, bathing and brushing their teeth.
“It’s been really hard to deal with,” said Alicia Arroyo, a Mattoon-area mother of young children. “Giving them showers, brushing teeth … all of that has been a challenge."
The City of Mattoon issued the new advisory over Facebook Tuesday night.
“I got a notification [Sunday] on my phone that the advisory had been lifted—but nothing last night when it started. That was frustrating," Arroyo told WAND News.
While the water issue has created confusion, it also sparked compassion.
The Salvation Army set up a water and food distribution hub, providing bottled water, fresh milk, cheese and produce for people in the community.
“This is the first natural disaster we've seen here in Mattoon of this magnitude, like this, in a very long time,” said Envoy Cari Shepherd, Corps Administrator. “I’m just so proud of the volunteers and other groups that have come together.”
Resident Todd Krost linked the water issue to the early days of the pandemic. “There’s this similar panic—like, what do I do? Can my loved ones get sick?” Krost said. “But just like then, we’re adapting.”
Despite the uncertainty, Krost remains optimistic.
"When we look back on this, we are going to remember the ways that our town did rally and we did support each other rather than the initial shock."
City and county officials continue to monitor water quality, and updates will be released as more information becomes available.
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