Boil Water Advisory Issued Following Outage in Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope

Residents in Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope, Minnesota, are facing a boil water advisory following a significant water outage reported early Sunday morning. According to residents who contacted 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, many households experienced a complete loss of water supply, while others reported low water pressure. The cities share a joint water commission that oversees their water supply, storage, and distribution systems.

The water supply disruption was traced back to a malfunctioning valve at the Golden Valley water tower, which reportedly occurred Saturday night. As restoration efforts commenced, the Joint Water Commission promptly issued a boil water advisory for the affected areas. Although water pressure issues have since been resolved, the advisory remains in effect until approval is granted by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Residents are advised to boil their water before consumption, including drinking, brushing teeth, or cooking. The recommended procedure is to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before allowing it to cool. Alternatively, residents may use bottled water to ensure safety until the advisory is lifted.

The Joint Water Commission is actively working to restore normalcy and will issue a statement once the advisory is lifted. The situation highlights the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for rapid response mechanisms in municipal water systems, particularly in areas with shared resources.

According to Peter Johnson, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Health, 'Boil water advisories are crucial in protecting public health in situations where water quality may be compromised. We urge residents to follow guidelines to ensure their safety until we can confirm the water is safe to drink again.'

This incident underscores the vulnerability of municipal water systems and the potential for widespread impact when issues arise. Local leaders are expected to discuss preventative measures in upcoming community meetings to ensure such disruptions are minimized in the future.