UPDATE at 1:50 p.m.
MOULTRIE COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois EPA has obtained samples of Mattoon’s water containing a harmful algae bloom, and the results will be provided Saturday afternoon.
In an updated press release from the Mattoon Fire Department at 1:30 p.m., Chief Jeff Hilligoss said that the results of the water sample tests are currently pending and that the Illinois EPA will share the results at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Hilligoss also provided more information on how the cyanotoxin levels are affecting water use for Mattoon residents.
“Given the current scientific understanding, it is unlikely that showering, bathing, washing hands, doing laundry etc. in tap water with cyanotoxin levels near or below the Health Advisory will be harmful to human health,” Hilligoss said in the news release. “However, infants and young children under the age of six should be supervised while bathing and during other tap water-related activities to prevent accidental ingestion of water.”
The fire department also touched on the fact that people may accidentally consume the water that is used to prepare or wash food, make drinks or make ice.
If a drinking water advisory is issued, the U.S. Environemtal Protection Agency recommends people use alternative water sources for these activities. The EPA is also suggesting residents use alternative water source options to make infant formula.
According to the Coles County Health Department, residents in the Village of Humboldt are also being affected by the unsafe water alert, as they get their tap water from Mattoon.
UPDATE at 1 p.m.
MOULTRIE COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — An unsafe water alert caused by a harmful algae bloom in Mattoon’s water is affecting more than just people in Coles County.
The Moultrie County Rural Public Water District alerted residents that any Mattoon water users in the following areas should refrain from using the water:
- Village of Gays
- Southshores
- Lakeside Villa
- South of Bruce Findlay Road
- Coles Station
- Customers along the 1000 N Road
The unsafe water alert is effective until further notice. No timeline has been shared yet as to when water will be safe for use again.
UPDATE at noon
COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Friday afternoon, the City of Charleston announced that they are not affected by the Mattoon unsafe water alert and that their water is “safe to drink and meets all Illinois EPA drinking water standards.”
“We continue to monitor water quality daily and are committed to providing clean, reliable water to our community,” the city added.
UPDATE at 11 a.m.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Mattoon said Friday morning that they are following the guidance of the Illinois EPA and Coles County Health Department and “aggressively treating the water.”
This comes after the Coles County Health Department shared an unsafe water alert with residents on Thursday urging them to avoid using water if they get it from the city’s water supply.
The city added that they are waiting for further sampling and testing results from the IEPA.
For those who need bottled water, some community organizations are giving them out.
Carrie Shepherd from the Salvation Army told WCIA that they have bottled water and are giving out six per person right now and have more on the way if needed.
The Fields Church also posted on Facebook that they are able to help if anyone is in need of water and cannot afford or access it.
The city’s Rural King shared that their store has plenty of water stocked up too.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The Coles County Health Department shared more information Thursday night on a harmful algae bloom making water from the City of Mattoon’s water supply unsafe to consume or use.
After sending out the initial “unsafe water alert,” the department followed up with a post on Facebook to clear up some information.
The department said that the algae in Mattoon’s water is Microcystin, which was at a level of 0.35 µg/L (micrograms per liter) in Mattoon’s water. For reference, the dermal limit — what is safe for skin — is 1.6 µg/L for adults and 0.3 µg/L for children, the department added.
“We are still looking for answers – is it safe to wash clothes / hair / bedding. We have not answered those questions due to the conflicting information,” the department said. “Hopefully, tomorrow’s test will be better. We can’t use Google to find answers, we have to rely on reputable sources that can be documented.”
Their first priority was contacting food service facilities, getting an announcement on the radio, and sharing information through a Facebook post, the department added.
“This was a time sensitive issue, and the decision was made to notify the public while our epidemiologist researches what is safe and finding answers to your questions,” the department said.
The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency also posted Thursday night that anyone in eastern Shelby County that uses the City of Mattoon’s water supply should also adhere to the public safety alert.
Several businesses have also announced closures and other updates for Friday due to the unsafe water, such as the Milk and Honey Coffeehouse and Hubbartt’s Downtown Diner.
If you or someone you know needs water assistance and are unable to go to a water distribution location, please complete this form.
WCIA will continue to provide updates on our website with the latest information.
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