ELLIOTT—An electrical short in a well house serving the city of Elliott in Montgomery County prevented the well from coming online, and residents in this southwest Iowa town are being advised to drink bottled water only.
Although the well is back online, it will take several hours before the tower refills and pressure is restored. Due to high nitrate levels, the bottled water advisory has been issued. Bacteria samples have been collected today, and another set will be collected tomorrow. Until those samples are cleared, the city is furnishing bottled water to citizens, available at the town hall.
Test results may be available late Thursday at the earliest, or more likely Friday. Citizens should use bottled water until then. Infants who drink water containing nitrates in excess of the standards could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue baby syndrome. All residents should use only bottled water. Do not boil tap water, as boiling increases nitrate concentrations.