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7 Critical Steps Duluth Residents Took After The Lakeside Boil Water Advisory Was Lifted

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The recent precautionary boil water advisory that affected residents in the Upper Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth, Minnesota, has been officially lifted, bringing relief to thousands of customers. As of , the City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities department confirmed that extensive water quality testing showed the drinking water is safe for consumption, confirming that no biological or bacterial contamination entered the system during the incident. This article details the cause of the alert and provides a critical step-by-step guide on what residents should do *after* an advisory is lifted to ensure the safety of their home plumbing and appliances.

The swift action by the City of Duluth and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) ensured the advisory was short-lived, but the event serves as a crucial reminder about the city’s complex water infrastructure. The advisory was triggered by a sudden and unexpected drop in water pressure, a common precursor to potential contamination, stemming from essential maintenance work on the water system’s reservoirs and a major 12-inch water main repair in the area. Understanding the protocol—both during and after—is essential for all residents in the Lakeside area and the broader Duluth community.

The Cause: Low Pressure, Maintenance, and the Precautionary Alert

The City of Duluth water system, which draws its water from the vast and pristine Lake Superior, is one of the most robust in the state. The entire network, managed by the Public Works and Utilities department, includes the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant, 15 water reservoirs, 11 water pumping stations, and over 400 miles of water main serving more than 28,842 customers. Despite this infrastructure, low-pressure events can occur, necessitating immediate public alerts.

The recent advisory for the Upper Lakeside neighborhood was a direct result of a low-pressure anomaly. This was linked to ongoing system improvements, specifically reservoir tank maintenance, and a subsequent repair of a 12-inch water main break. When water pressure drops significantly, there is a risk of back-siphonage, where contaminated groundwater or soil could be drawn into the drinking water pipes, potentially introducing harmful pathogens like E. coli or other coliform bacteria.

The advisory was therefore issued as a precautionary measure—a Tier 1 Public Notification requirement under the Safe Drinking Water Act—to protect public health while water samples were collected and tested. The affected area, while concentrated in the Upper Lakeside Zone, included specific streets and properties in the higher elevation zones that rely on the affected pumping and reservoir infrastructure.

Why Precautionary Advisories Are Critical

The primary concern during a low-pressure event is the potential for microbial contamination. While the City of Duluth's water is rigorously treated at the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant, a break in the distribution system compromises the integrity of the barrier. The precautionary advisory ensures that residents take immediate steps to kill any potential microorganisms:

  • Boiling Water: Bringing water to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute is the most effective method for disinfecting water for consumption.
  • Testing Protocol: The City’s crews worked rapidly to collect multiple water samples from various points across the affected distribution zone. These samples were sent to a certified laboratory for analysis, specifically looking for the presence of total coliform and E. coli bacteria.
  • MDH Confirmation: The advisory could only be lifted after two consecutive sets of samples, taken 24 hours apart, returned negative results, a standard protocol mandated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). This two-day testing cycle is why advisories often last for 48 to 72 hours.

7 Essential Steps for Residents After the Advisory Is Lifted

The lifting of the precautionary advisory means the water is safe, but it does not mean business as usual immediately. Residents must take several crucial steps to flush their home plumbing systems and clean appliances to remove any potentially stagnant or untreated water that may have been sitting in pipes or tanks during the alert period. This process ensures the highest level of water quality throughout the home.

Here are the seven critical steps Duluth residents are advised to take immediately after the official "All Clear" notice:

1. Flush Cold Water Faucets and Pipes

Run all cold-water faucets for a minimum of five (5) minutes. For homes with long or complex service lines, or for commercial properties, running the water for 10 to 15 minutes is recommended. This action effectively flushes out the plumbing system, removing any untreated water that remained in the lines during the advisory.

2. Flush Hot Water Tanks and Pipes

If your hot water heater is less than 40 gallons, or if you used hot water during the advisory, it is best to flush the system. To do this, run the hot water at all faucets for 15 minutes. This ensures the water heater tank and associated hot-water pipes are completely refilled with fresh, safe water from the main distribution system.

3. Clean and Sanitize All Water-Using Appliances

This step is crucial for appliances that store or circulate water. Drain and clean the following:

  • Ice Makers: Discard all existing ice and flush the water line by making and discarding three full batches of new ice.
  • Water Filters: Replace all water filters, including those in refrigerators, pitchers, and reverse osmosis (RO) systems, as the carbon block in these filters may have trapped bacteria or contaminants.
  • Dishwashers: Run an empty cycle on the hot setting with a sanitizing rinse to ensure the internal plumbing is flushed.

4. Disinfect Showerheads and Faucet Aerators

Remove all showerheads and faucet aerators (the small screens on the end of a faucet) and soak them in a mild bleach solution (one teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water) for 10 minutes. This prevents the growth of bacterial film that can accumulate on these surfaces.

5. Address Water for Pets and Livestock

Discard any water used for pets (dogs, cats, etc.) or livestock that was prepared during the advisory period. Provide fresh, unboiled tap water now that the advisory is lifted. The same rule applies to water used for fish tanks or other aquatic environments.

6. Safely Dispose of Stored Boiled Water

Any large quantities of water that were boiled, cooled, and stored for drinking or cooking can now be safely discarded, or used for non-consumption purposes like watering outdoor plants. Switch back to using fresh, unboiled tap water immediately.

7. Monitor and Report Any Anomalies

While the City of Duluth has confirmed the water is safe, residents should remain vigilant. If you notice any persistent discoloration, unusual taste, or lingering odors in your tap water after completing the flushing process, contact the City of Duluth Public Works and Utilities department immediately. This helps the city monitor for any localized, lingering issues within the distribution network.

Topical Authority: Duluth’s Commitment to Water Quality

The rapid response and lifting of the advisory underscore the commitment of Duluth’s Public Works and Utilities to maintaining high water quality standards, which are among the best in the nation, thanks to the source water from Lake Superior. The precautionary advisory system, though inconvenient, is a vital layer of protection that ensures the health of the community against potential risks associated with infrastructure maintenance and unexpected events like water main breaks.

For ongoing information regarding water infrastructure projects, water quality reports, and future alerts, residents are encouraged to monitor the official City of Duluth website and sign up for emergency notifications. Proactive steps, like understanding the boil water protocol and the post-advisory flushing procedures, are the best defense for maintaining safe drinking water in your home.

7 Critical Steps Duluth Residents Took After the Lakeside Boil Water Advisory Was Lifted
duluth lakeside boil water
duluth lakeside boil water

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