Willow River residents told to boil drinking water

The City of Willow River is directing residents to boil its drinking water for at least one minute or seek an alternate safe supply.

Boiling will kill bacteria and other organisms that have contaminated the city’s water system because of this week’s flooding. The city will announce when water tests indicate that there are no bacteria in the water and it is no longer necessary to boil water.

In addition, the Minnesota Lake Superior Beach advises no water contact at all beaches along the St. Louis River and Lake Superior’s North Shore from Boy Scout Landing Beach in Gary-New Duluth to Chicago Bay Beach in Hovland.

Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms when ingested. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

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