Announcements

TO IMLAY CITY WATER CUSTOMERS:

 An Update and Overview

 

Imlay City purchases water from the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA).  As you’ve no doubt heard on the news, read in the paper or saw on the Imlay City Webpage, Imlay City Facebook Page or for those who have signed up for the service, seen the Nixle notifications sent to your phones, GLWA has experienced a water main break in the 10-foot supply line from Lake Huron.

 

When the GLWA water main broke on the morning of Saturday, August 13, the water pressure began to drop in Imlay City and other GLWA serviced Communities.  The Imlay City Department of Public Works utilized the supply of stored water from their water towers to provide water and sufficient water pressure to service Imlay City.

 

Once the water tower levels began to drop to an insufficient level, the City’s stand-by wells were activated into the distribution system to provide water that could be boiled. This also assured that there was adequate water pressure to maintain the City’s fire hydrants, should the need arise.

 

On Monday, August 15 the City performed bacteriological samples on the wells, which came back negative. The same day the City began applying chlorine to the well water to begin the process to make it safe to drink. Next, the City took two safe sets of bacteriological samples in the water system, 24 hours apart on August 17 and 18, which came back negative.

 

At the same time, the City monitored and tested for chlorine residuals multiple times each day to meet minimum requirements for chlorine residuals throughout the water system.  Meeting these requirements by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) allowed the City to be removed from the Boil Water Advisory.

 

The City will continue to monitor and perform required testing to ensure safe drinking water.  Also, team members from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) will be visiting affected communities including Imlay City, to collect Lead and Copper samples to better ensure the quality of the drinking water.  

 

The City of Imlay City will continue to be primarily serviced by the Imlay City stand-by wells until the GLWA water main is repaired and tested and we begin receiving the drinking water from GLWA, as residents are accustomed.  The drinking water may not visually look or taste the way the customers are use to, only because the source is different. The well water is hard and is not softened, so customers may notice hard water spots when washing dishes or doing laundry.  This is to be expected until the City switches back to the GLWA supply.

 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this water situation.