By Edward Lynn, Editor
GOLDFIELD, Iowa — Residents in the northwest portion of Goldfield are advised to boil their water before drinking or using it for cooking after a loss of water pressure on Friday, Feb. 7. The City of Goldfield issued a drinking water advisory as a precaution due to the potential for bacterial contamination in the water supply.
Water service was restored to the affected homes, but the advisory remains in effect until tests confirm the water is safe. Residents should boil water for at least one minute and allow it to cool before using it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice. Bottled water is also a safe alternative. The water is safe for bathing and other non-consumption uses.
Goldfield Public Works Superintendent Jim Sisson emphasized that this was an advisory, not an order, and was issued out of an abundance of caution rather than a confirmed contamination. “It’s something we do for precautionary reasons, for the safety of the public,” Sisson said. “Better safe than sorry.” Speaking on Tuesday, he added that test results are expected by early afternoon on Tuesday, or on Wednesday morning. When the city has results, updates will be provided to the public, Sisson said.
As water service returns, residents may experience air in their pipes or notice discoloration. The city advises running a faucet without an aerator, such as a bathtub, until the water runs clear. The cloudiness may be due to air bubbles or small particles dislodged when the pipes refilled. If discoloration persists, residents should use bottled water and contact city officials.
The advisory only affects homes that lost water service and received an official notice. The City of Goldfield will inform residents when the advisory is lifted through its official communication channels, including the city’s Facebook page.
For more information, residents can contact Goldfield City Hall at (515) 825-3613 or Jim Sisson at (515) 851-2403. General water safety guidelines are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
