Mercer Island lifts boil-water advisory

The city of Mercer Island has lifted a boil-water advisory that has been in effect since last week.

Officials say tests for E. coli and Total Coliform bacteria came up negative for a sixth day in a row after it was discovered in the city’s water supply.

Despite a widespread investigation, water engineers have been unable to identify where the contamination came from. But they’re confident they’ve put measures in place to prevent the bacteria from emerging again, including increased chlorination, said city spokesman Ross Freeman.

The city says it will continue working to try and determine the cause of the contamination. Officials will also continue to take expanded samples and look into potential upgrades and improvements.

The detection of E. coli in the city water system last week prompted the temporary closure of all of Mercer Island’s restaurants and other food service establishments. Some were able to re-open over the weekend by serving pre-packaged food.

All food establishments will still have to contact Public Health-Seattle & King County before they can re-open to go over procedures for flushing their systems and get approval to resume operations.

The Mercer Island School District will continue to serve pre-packaged food and use bottled water until the city can sanitize its water system Wednesday night, Freeman said.