Boil Advisory Lifted for City of Creston Only

A boil advisory that has been in effect for more than a week is being lifted for Creston customers only. Previously notified Southern Iowa Rural Water Association customers are still under the advisory. This news was brought to you first right here on Creston Radio.

The DNR and city of Creston water officials lifted this portion of the boil advisory at 2:45pm today. However, they caution that it is lifted only for those who receive their water from and pay their water bills directly to the Creston Municipal Utilities at 820 S. Park St., PO Box 405, Creston, Iowa.

Dan Stipe, supervisor of the DNR's Atlantic field office says that although test results from the Creston water supply are showing the water is now safe, it will take some time before the extensive distribution system can be flushed and the newly treated water reaches all the customers served by the SIRWA.

Creston residents who have questions about whether or not they are in the city billing area should contact Creston Municipal Utilities at 782-5817.

Customers of SIRWA who have been boiling their water since Dec. 29th, should continue to follow the boil advisory until they are notified that their water meets state and federal drinking water standards.

Because of the large area served by SIRWA, it will take some time to flush the pipes and replace existing water with the newly treated water.

Stipe says that the DNR and the city of Creston have been working closely together to address the problems with the filtration system and cloudiness in the water. The Creston water treatment plant is now functioning effectively and is providing safe water.

SIRWA General Manager Dan McIntosh tells Creston Radio News that they are working with the DNR and have identified a clean water "target" to shoot for.  Officials have slightly decreased the amount of flouride in the safe water now leaving the treatment center has been in an effort to allow SIRWA to identify new versus old water.  In this method, McIntosh says they can pinpoint the water lines and towers that need to be flushed in order to more quickly and efficiently eliminate all old water in the extensive water distribution system. 

McIntosh says SIRWA is working with Creston-based engineering firm Garden & Associates in the process of testing water in the affected counties, as well as working with the DNR to determine when the safe water has reached their customers.  At that time, SIRWA or DNR will issue a press release.  Customers can also check the SIRWA’s website for updates on the water’s quality at sirwa.org.

Conway Man Killed in Crash

A Conway man was killed in a Taylor County accident on Saturday night. The Taylor County Sheriff's Office says they received a call at about 8:00pm reporting a car on its top on County Road J-35, east of Lake Road. Upon arrival on the scene, responders found the vehicle had left the roadway to the north, struck a field drive, and rolled, coming to rest on the driver's side. The driver, 60-year-old Calvin Colson, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

The Sheriff's Office says that the Bedford Police Department assisted with the accident, along with Bedford Ambulance, as well as the Gravity and Sharpsburg Fire Departments.

Boil Advisory Still in Effect for SIRWA Customers

Although the City of Creston has been let out of the boil advisory, all area SIRWA customers are still being advised to boil their water. Until then, SIRWA General Manger Dan McIntosh says they'll continue to flush water systems and conduct testing and monitoring.

A little more is known now as to the timeline leading up to the issuance of the boil advisory. After renovation of the 12-Mile Lake reservoir, Green says that the plant had been using water from 3-Mile Lake for the last three years, and recently just switched to the 12-Mile Lake source on December 15th. Then, just 9 days later, on Christmas Eve, the plant changed back to 3-Mile Lake. It was only three days after that when DNR officials were called to the plant for the problem which caused the advisory to be issued.

When the boil advisory is finally lifted, McIntosh says a couple flushes of the toilet will drain out most of the water in the average house's plumbing system. He says, though, that most of the clean water now being distributed into the system has made it to houses, so there shouldn't be a threat of remaining dangerous water. The only other supply of water that would remain in your house is your hot water heater, which McIntosh says can be used up with a load or two of laundry. He also says that manufacturers suggest flushing your hot water heater once a year, which might not be a bad idea after the advisory is lifted.

Stay tuned right here to Creston Radio for word as soon as the boil advisory is lifted.

Lenox Teen Hurt Hunting

A Lenox teen suffered a leg injury in a hunting accident on Sunday afternoon. According to the Iowa DNR, 15-year-old Ely Will was reportedly crossing a ditch while hunting south of Lenox when the .22 caliber rifle he was carrying fired and hit him in calf of his left leg. Will was hunting with 18-year-old Payton Glynn of Lenox at the time of the accident.

Officials say Will's injury is not life threatening and that the accident remains under investigation by the Iowa DNR.

Two-Car Collision in Creston

The Creston Police Department says that a two-car crash at the intersection of Adams and Oak Streets resulted in no injuries, but a total of $3,000 in damages. According to an accident report, 57-year-old Janet Knock of Creston was eastbound on Adams Street when she slowed down to turn onto Oak. Behind her was 23-year-old Cassandra Larkin who didn't stop and hit the back end of Knock's car, causing $1,000 of damage. Larkin's own car sustained $2,000 in damages. Larkin was cited for failure to stop in an assured and clear distance.

Three Incidents Reported in Creston

The Creston Police says three separate incidents were recently reported in the city.

Wade Monthei of Creston says that somebody made a dent in both the trunk and the driver's side door of his vehicle while it was parked at his residence on Manor Drive. Monthei reports that the incident happened sometime on Monday evening. Damage is estimated at $500.

Meanwhile, Mika Luddington of Creston told police that her digital camera was taken from her purse while she was at the American Legion on Friday. Total loss is an estimated $200.

Finally, Annette Hall of Creston reported to authorities that the windshield of her car was broken while the vehicle was parked at her residence on W. Montgomery Street. Hall says the act of vandalism happened sometime Sunday night or Monday morning. The damage is estimated at $400.

Redding Man Arrested on 3 Charges

A Redding man is behind bars on three charges after his arrest early this morning. The Ringgold County Sheriff's Office says authorities apprehended Albert Rich at 2:15am and charged him with eluding a law enforcement vehicle, interference with official acts, and disorderly conduct. Rich is currently being held in the Ringgold County Jail where bond has not yet been set.

Poet Ethanol Plant Fire

A fire at a local ethanol plant leaves nobody injured and minimal damage this weekend. Greg Olsen is general manager at Poet Biorefining of Corning and says that a power outage at the plant was the first in a series of steps that led to the fire. According to Olsen, the plant lost power, which caused the backup generators on site to fire up and begin providing electricity. Then, one of the generators in the dryer area failed and caught fire.

Olsen says employees immediately contacted local firefighters who had held practice activities at the facility beforehand for preparation for such an event. The fire was extinguished and Olsen says no damage was sustained. The plant was back in full operation already this morning.