Boil water advisory lifted in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A boil water advisory that has affected a large swath of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Township for three days is over.
The city announced the advisory had been lifted Wednesday after a second round of testing revealed there was nothing dangerous in the water. The system has been flushed, according to the announcement.
“Earlier today, about 11:30 this morning, we got our results back from our lab,” Wayne Jernberg, water system manager for the city, said Wednesday. “The results all came back negative, which is a good thing.”
First test results encouraging; boil advisory continues
Residents no longer have to boil water before consuming it, but the city recommends flushing plumbing, pipes and faucets beforehand. You’re asked to unscrew and remove faucet screens and aerators, cleaning out any particles; run cold water through faucets and appliances with direct water connections for five minutes or more; run hot water only through all faucets and flush until the water is cool, in order to clear hot water pipes and water heater of any untreated water; and put faucet screens and aerators back on.
Jernberg says it’s especially important to take these steps if you’ve avoided using water over the past few days.
Before drinking any water, the city also recommends you check your appliances and devices. You should remove and replace all water filters, including any appliances with direct water connections, according to the city. You’re also asked to flush water dispensers from refrigerators with at least a gallon of water; dump existing ice and flush the water feed lines, making and throwing away three batches of ice; run the empty dishwasher on its hottest or sanitize cycle after you have flushed your hot water pipes and water heater; run water softener through a full regeneration cycle; and replace filters in furnace and portable humidifiers.
GRCC culinary program grapples with boil advisory
“While this has certainly been a disruption for our community, our Water Department employees were able to quickly identify and correct the issue while staff from departments across the organization pulled together to support our residents compassionately and professionally,” City Manager Mark Washington said in a statement. “This is exactly what our community expects in challenging times and our employees never fail to deliver.”
ADVISORY PROMPTED BY WATER MAIN BREAK
The advisory had been in place since Sunday afternoon following a water main break in the area of Leonard Street NE and Union Avenue near Carrier Creek. Such breaks cause pressure to drop in the system, which in turn can allow for bacteria to enter the system.
Jernberg previously explained that the main that failed connected “two critical transmission mains that supply the northeast side.”
“When that 12-inch main went, it caused an inability for us to get water to our elevated storage facilities and other pump locations downstream,” Jernberg said Tuesday. “The pumps therefore started to fall offline because … they weren’t pumping against enough head.”
The break was repaired Monday, but the city had to conduct testing to confirm that the water was safe to drink. While that was underway, residents who lived east of US-131 and north of Hall Street were advised to boil their water before drinking or cooking with it. SpartanNash and the city had water available for pickup Monday evening and Tuesday.
The Kent Intermediate School District was closed Monday and Grand Rapids Public Schools closed Tuesday because of the advisory. A couple of Kent ISD schools were also closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Jernberg said the situation was “stressful,” but they were prepared.
“Every step along the way, I think we’ve done a really good job,” he said. “It really does mean a lot that there’s a sense of appreciation and collaboration with the community in an event like this.”
GR city leaders tout ‘fast response’ to water main break
Washington said Tuesday he has asked staff members to review the situation, including maintenance history and the reliability of the infrastructure.
“We are going to do an internal investigation … not only look at how we responded, but how the system responds,” Jernberg said Wednesday.
Then, they will look at the results with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The investigation may also prompt the city to make some improvements so the system can be more “robust” and “sustainable,” Jernberg said.
“I don’t know if there will be major changes, but I do anticipate we’re going to make some changes,” he said.
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