Neighbors of Dunn County describes bottled-water response and resident-care changes after Menomonee boil-water advisory

Carmen, the Neighbors of Dunn County administrator, told the county's executive committee that staff responded quickly when a boil-water advisory was issued for nearby Menomonee, bringing in bottled water, adjusting resident care and coordinating with county partners.

The measures were taken to protect residents, staff and nearby county operations. "We received the public notice Tuesday evening," Carmen said, and staff secured bottled water and monitored pressure; she added, "A negative test is a good test in this case." The facility coordinated deliveries so both the nursing home and the county jail would have water and shifted to bed baths for most residents to reduce ingestion risk.

Why it matters: the steps limited exposure of residents with weakened immune systems and those with tubes or open wounds, and they required operational adjustments that affected laundry, staffing and supply costs. Carmen said staff worked with Brady in facilities, Dan and 911 dispatch to arrange priorities for water use and to find laundry options.

Administrators said Culligan, the facility's contracted emergency water supplier, delivered four pallets of bottled water within about an hour of the request. Carmen described arrangements to run resident laundry on a single day at Spring Valley Nursing Home's machines and noted Pierce County had offered equipment as an alternative. She estimated the combined immediate costs for water procurement and transport at roughly $3,000 (approximate), and said the facility bought supplementary supplies from retailers to be ready if the advisory extended.

Carmen reviewed operational safeguards taken during the advisory: residents with weakened immune systems or external medical devices received boiled or bottled water for any activity that could expose face or open wounds; staff implemented bed baths to avoid shower ingestion; and the facility prepared to flush every sink and shower for five minutes each per post-advisory guidance. "We're estimating about 3,000 gallons of water, if not more," she said, and added that filters and water-softener components would need inspection or replacement even if testing comes back negative.

Staff reported no resident complaints or family concerns to date. Carmen said the facility was awaiting the city's water-test results, expected by early afternoon; she emphasized that the city—not the county—would issue public notices based on those results. "We were checking our water pressure regularly," she said. "We received water prior to the notices being put out there, which made Tuesday afternoon a lot easier when we did need it."

Next steps: the facility will follow city and state guidance on additional testing or mitigation if bacteria are detected, complete the required flushing and replace filters as needed before resuming normal operations. Administrators said they would provide a cost summary related to vouchers at the committee's next meeting if supervisors wanted details.