This past Friday, November 9, 2012, the City of Vinton was ordered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to issue a boil order alert to the users of the city’s water system. This happens when a sample or two of the water is tested and shows bacteria in the water. The city must then take steps to do additional sampling and testing to ensure the safety of the water.

The city’s water department tests the water every day at the water filtration site located on West 1st Street. The department also does 6 samples each month at various sites to check on the purity further in the system. It was one of these samples that showed bacteria that forced the city, under IDNR rules, to issue the boil alert. By the time the city had issued a press release for the boil alert, the state had already alerted the restaurants in the area.

Due to family commitments of other water employees, the only city employee available trained to take water samples was Water Treatment Plant Assistant Operator Craig Walker. He took 12 additional samples and then delivered the samples to Iowa City for testing. Because of his efforts, we received the results of the testing hours before they were expected and were able to lift the alert Saturday morning.

The city wants to thank everyone who helped to put out information on the boil alert. We did notify the TV stations, but they only broadcasted the information during their news programs. On Saturday morning, we asked KCRG twice to scroll the end of the boil alert, but they did not. Fortunately, we were able to get information out through other sources including the city’s website at www.vintoniowa.net and the city’s Twitter message feed. We also want to thank the city hall and sheriff’s dispatch staff for fielding questions during the alert.

The city will be reviewing the protocol along with the IDNR for issuing the alert and see how we can improve this procedure in the future. We appreciate your patience through this brief emergency period. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Vinton City Hall at 472-4707 or the Vinton Water Department at 472-3437.