Eldon issues boil-water notice after E. coli found; city weighs chlorination, pipe replacement and equipment purchases

Eldon city officials announced a boil-water notice after a routine sample taken May 19 produced a subsequent E. coli-positive repeat test, and staff described steps to protect residents and investigate the source.

Steve, the city staff member who handles water sampling, told the meeting the May 19 routine test led to a May 20 follow-up and that a repeat sample later showed the E. coli result that triggered the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notification and the boil-water order. "I pulled a routine water sample on May 19th. On May 20th they called back to me and said we had a total coliform positive and later we saw E. coli," Steve said, explaining the city immediately began additional sampling and flushing near the affected sampling site.

The city emphasized the distinction between total coliform (TC) and E. coli testing after residents said earlier notices caused confusion. Officials said initial TC positives do not always indicate a health risk, but a repeat sample showing E. coli requires immediate public notification and response. Steve told residents the wells have tested clean; "Our water source is fine. It's somewhere else in the system," he said, adding that the evidence so far points to contamination in the distribution system rather than at the wells.

Immediate measures include targeted flushing, handing out guidance flyers, and additional sample collection. Staff said they plan to collect residual samples Sunday and Monday, submit both on Monday evening, and expect lab results by Tuesday afternoon in the best case. If two consecutive residual tests are acceptable, the city could request removal of the boil-water notice.

Officials also discussed short-term and long-term technical responses. The city has ordered pumps and handheld testers it used during a prior event; Steve said handheld testers cost roughly $1,500 each and that new portable pumps and equipment related to the current response will cost about $4,000 in the near-term purchase. He described automated continuous monitors as an alternative, noting an automatic monitoring unit could run "between $2,000 and $10,000 a piece," while major well upgrades and permanent chlorination infrastructure could range into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, possibly up to $800,000–$900,000 for complex modifications.

Council members and residents raised the prospect of replacing aging iron and galvanized distribution lines as a long-term solution. "No matter what we do, until we replace these iron lines, it's not going away," a council member said. City staff said the city has a $15 million water bond with approximately $4.5 million already committed, and they discussed strategies to make the city eligible for state or federal grants — including flipping billing so water rather than sewer carries the higher portion of the combined utility bill around 2027, and adopting developer impact fees to help fund infrastructure as growth adds demand.

Health outreach steps are underway: Steve said he had been on the phone with Mike Herbert at the Mill County Health Department to ensure restaurants, daycares and nursing homes are notified and receive guidance. The city has flyers available at city hall and is recruiting volunteers to assist with outreach and distribution of information.

Residents asked about health precautions and were told to boil water before drinking or to add a small amount of bleach to rinse water when necessary. Officials also advised brief faucet flushing at homes when discoloration occurs to protect in-home filters and reduce staining.

Next steps: the city will follow DNR guidance, complete the planned sampling over the weekend, and present options to the council for any required permanent measures. Staff asked public commenters who had spoken to sign the meeting signup sheet; that request was made as an informal motion and seconded during the meeting.

The city urged residents to monitor official Eldon channels for updates and to follow posted boil-water guidance until the health department and city confirm the system is back within regulatory limits.