The City of Mercer Island announced today the latest round of test results shows no presence of E. coli or total coliform, with 15 samples analyzed.
Over a dozen food service establishments are pursuing an option to reopen with limited menus in consultation with Public Health – Seattle & King County. Restaurants may not reopen without permission from Public Health. Restaurants owners should call (206) 263-9566 for guidance.
In a press release, the City of Mercer Island reported no cases of E. coli illness among residents have been reported to Public Health.
The city said in the release work has continued around the clock to find a potential source of contamination, and sanitize the system. All agencies involved in the incident have formulated the next stage of the extensive response plan to the current boil-water alert.
• City utility professionals have increased the number of daily samples taken threefold (to 18); and added additional sample locations.
• City crews continue to methodically inspect all elements of the water system; and a specialized dive team will soon inspect the interior of the storage tanks.
• City crews, with Seattle Public Utility assistance, injected additional chlorine into the water reservoirs on the Island last night. Additional slow-release chlorine blocks will keep levels elevated. These increased levels pose no health risk to people or animals.
• The City has completed field inspections of new home and commercial construction sites.
• The City remains interested to hear from water customers who have any reason to believe their garden irrigation system is connected without a permitted backflow preventer; there is no penalty for contacting the City. More information at : www.mercergov.org/backflow
• Free water for our most vulnerable populations is available at the Community Center; the City asks that those in need have primary access to this supply. So far, 2200 cases have been delivered to various residents and institutions by volunteers.
• The Mercer Island Farmers Market will be open this Sunday, Oct 5, with Public Health oversight.
• Whole Foods Market has generously offered free use of their in-store water filtering machines for MI residents at their South Lake Union and Bellevue outlets.
The next round of test results will be analyzed and released by Noon, Saturday October 4.
If residents have any further questions, please contact the City of Mercer Island hotline (today open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.) at 206-275-7800 or visit our website at www.mercergov.org.
