Update at 7:30 p.m.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — The entire City of Mattoon is under an “unsafe water alert” owing to a harmful algal bloom neurological toxin that can cause illness if consumed.
The Coles County Health Department indicated in their notice that the water in the City of Mattoon might be tainted with Microcystin, a hazardous algal bloom. They strongly advise against drinking the water, as ignoring this warning may lead to illness.
The “do not drink order” comes in response to the detection of harmful algal bloom neurological toxins at a concentration of 0.35 parts per billion. This level surpasses the advisory threshold for a “do not drink order,” which is 0.3 parts per billion.
The Coles County Health Department and the City of Mattoon Water Treatment Plant are advising residents of Mattoon to not use their tap water for drinking, cooking or any other use until further notice. They are urging people to only use bottled water at this time.
Bottled water should be used for all drinking, including for baby formula, juice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation until further notice. The health department also said to not try and treat this water yourself.
This means that boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe. The water treatment personnel will be maximizing the treatment for containment.
The health department said they will inform the public when the tests show that the water is safe again.
Jim Hilgenberg with the Coles County EMA also confirmed that residents “cannot use Mattoon City water” at this time. The Area Family YMCA in Mattoon has shut down its showers at this time, and the Stadium Grill restaurant confirmed with WCIA that they would be closing early at 8 p.m. due to the unsafe water alert.
For more information on this situation, Mattoon residents can call the Water Utility – Water Plant contact at 217-234-2454 or the Local County Health Department at 217-348-0530.
MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Due to a high algae bloom, the water in Mattoon is currently not safe to drink, according to the Coles County Health Department.
In a Facebook post, the health department also said people should not boil, filter, drink or even use the water in Mattoon at this time. The Mattoon Police Department shared the post and urged city residents to share the information with their family and friends.
“We will keep you updated with any further information,” Mattoon Police said on Facebook.
