MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Mattoon has just rescinded their second “do not drink” directive which had been in place since Tuesday. The city announced that the water is safe for use after three days of testing confirmed the neurotoxin levels from an algae were under the safety threshold.
On Friday, WCIA spoke with city officials regarding how they managed to reduce the levels, their plans for returning to normal operations, and their efforts to ensure the situation does not recur.
They were cautiously optimistic that Friday’s test results would indicate safe levels. Following the increase that prompted the second directive, certainty was elusive. Nonetheless, they are hopeful about maintaining normalcy moving forward.
City Manager Kyle Gill said they’re already looking into steps to make that a reality.
“We’re going to be keeping the numbers as it is for a while, the amounts of what we’re putting into it,” Gill said. “But then we’ve also hired a consultant that has made samples out of the lake. They’ve given us a plan that they want to do to start spraying.”
Gill said they have already applied for a permit to use algaecide with the IEPA.
“Once we get that approval, we will be spraying both lakes: Lake Paradise and Lake Mattoon,” he said.
Gills also said the IEPA tells him they’re expediting the process, and he hopes to start spraying about a week from Friday. He said the city is also looking at long term devices to have in the lake such as bubble machines, which will keep the water from being stagnant.
“Keep the numbers as low as we can and everything will be good,” Gill said. “You know, we are still giving out water today. We will probably go ahead and give it out tomorrow as well.”
The “do not drink” orders have caused a lot more water bottles to be used. Now they need a place to go, and Eastern Illinois Area Special Education Recycling is happy to take them.
“EIASE Recycling Center is a place for people with developmental disabilities to come together and learn work, life and social skills,” said EIASE Recycling Coordinator Heather Hughes.
Participants complete every stage from sorting, to baling and even constructing benches. Mattoon is bringing in two dumpsters for plastic water bottles and jugs.
“Right now, we’re asking that everybody brings their water bottles in, in a plastic bag, like just a regular trash bag,” Hughes said. “It sheds more lights and gives our students with disabilities more of a spotlight to be seen, that they can actually do great work.”
The city said people can drop off their plastic bottles and jugs Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The site will be next to the Mervis Recycling in Mattoon.
