LaX water safe again-No illnesses reported

The boil advisory on LaCrosse water was lifted last Friday, clearing residents to use water straight from the tap.

A boil advisory issued by the State Department of Health had been in effect for one week after samples of the city’s water supply showed traces of E. coli.

Don Keeney, LaCrosse water manager, said state health officials informed him the water was once again safe to drink Friday night.

Michael Baker, Whitman County’s environmental health director, said state Department of Health employees were in department-wide meetings most of Friday, and returned the clear signal shortly after 5 p.m.

After the E. coli was detected, Keeney chlorinated the water supply to counter the bacteria and flushed the water through the mains.

Samples of the city’s water were then sent to Anatek labs in Moscow for testing. Results of those tests were forwarded to state health officials.

Cause of the contamination was not known as of press time.

Keeney last week thought bacteria might have entered the system when work was being done on the town’s water mains.

Baker said the county health department received no reports of illnesses that could have been attributed to the contamination.