Health officials discover high levels of nitrate in Williams Bay water; “Do Not Drink” order issued

WILLIAMS BAY, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a “Do Not Drink” order for the water in Williams Bay after it was discovered to contain high levels of nitrite.

According to an emergency alert, residents of the village are advised to avoid using tap water for drinking or cooking. Ingesting the contaminated water can lead to illness. The village is distributing bottled water as an alternative. The bottled water will be handed out at the Williams Bay School District from 3-7 p.m. daily from Thursday, Aug. 28 to Monday, Sept. 1

Residents need to enter from Theater Rd, traveling towards the weight room entrance:

Williams Bay Waterworks says the tap water still can be used for showering, hand or dish washing, and toilet flushing. Do not try to treat the water yourself.

According to a letter sent by the Village Board, Williams Bay was informed by the DNR of a potential water issue on Monday, Aug. 25. After the Village conducted water tests at various locations, the lab results that came back on Wednesday, Aug. 27 confirmed the nitrite levels of the water exceeded the maximum amount allowed. Williams Bay Waterworks believes the high levels of the chemical are due to the ammonia present in the water system being converted to nitrite through a process called “nitrification.”

The Village will take the following actions to resolve the water issue: hydrant flushing, chlorinating to reduce nitrifying bacteria, collecting additional water samples, and sending those samples to certified laboratories for analysis.

Williams Bay Waterworks warns that infants and those who are pregnant are at a higher risk for health effects. Seek medical attention if severe symptoms develop.

Read the full details of the emergency alert here. If you have health or emergency questions, see the following contacts: