Boil order lifted in flood-stricken Glenwood

A monthlong order to boil water in Glenwood has been lifted.

Residents in the western Iowa city were told their water has been tested and deemed safe, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

"Samples collected throughout the community and within all four schools indicate the water is safe to drink. The entire water treatment system has been flushed, as well, lifting the release of the boil advisory for the city of Glenwood," the release states.

"Please be advised that the boil water advisory remains in effect for the Glenwood Resource Center. The Glenwood Resource Center will begin flushing its system on Monday."

Glenwood, which is in Mills County and is home to about 5,200 people, was nearly covered by floodwater last month. The water treatment plant was among properties inundated.

Original story: Residents of Glenwood, Iowa, are being told to conserve water as officials work to get the city's water sources and treatment plant functioning after last month's flooding.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources sent a release Wednesday asking people in the Mills County town to use water for just necessities after boiling it while the wells and water-treatment facility are repaired and tested. The "three to five" wells in the city and its water treatment plant were inundated by water due to the flooding in western Iowa, said Keith Wilken, a DNR environmental specialist.

Since then, water has been transported in from Red Oak and Shenandoah, but the demand is exceeding supplies, according to the release. The lower the demand, the faster authorities will be able to get the system working like normal again.

"(Glenwood) residents have been extremely patient and cooperative through this entire process and we encourage them to continue to do so a little bit longer while we see this though to completion," Wilken said.

The treatment plant and one well in the city are operational but will have to be tested before being used by the public.

"We have to verify that the water is safe before we can start thinking of anything else," Wilken said.

The process of testing all of the water, wells and distribution sites could be a lengthy one. Authorities will also have to flush the entire system and use clean water.

"If (the water removal and testing) goes well — which in these situations, that doesn't always happen — if everything goes as planned, possibly in a week or two weeks we can have (some things) online," he said.