Residents of Independence Township were able to use their water again after 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, after a boil water advisory was lifted.
On July 5, Linda Richardson, director of the Department of Public Works for Independence Township said Independence Township residents, minus a small pocket in the northeast section could revert back to normal consumption practices. Hillview Estates, a subdivision, still had the advisory due in part to their belonging to an independent water system.
After 12 tests within 24 hours of the reported contamination showed no signs of the bacteria, Richardson attributed the initial contamination results to error in testing.
‘With the 95 degree weather, the contamination was probably a result of human error. Someone might not have had on the latex gloves or we could have had some bad sample bottles,? said Richardson. ‘We are going to review our water sample techniques and see what went wrong.?
Independence Township residents were advised to boil their water before use on June 31 after a presence of coliform bacteria was detected. This bacteria, although not harmful itself, indicates other potentially-harmful bacteria may be present.
According to an email sent out by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, coliforms were found in four of the 16 samples taken in June. The standard is no more than one sample a month showing a presence of the coliform bacteria. Samples are taken monthly.
Richardson said the water system upgrade currently occurring in the township are not a cause, as the contaminated water was not found in the same area that upgrading is happening.