Press Release

Contact Information:

Jeff Randall

Bessemer Township Supervisor

Office: 906.667.0423

supervisor@bessemertownship.com

Drinking Water Boil Advisory lifted – Water may be used without Boiling

Ramsay, MI. (May 08, 2023)- Due to E.coli contamination in the Wakefield municipal water wells on April 26, a Boil Water Advisory was issued throughout the GRWA system. The GRWA began shifting to the City of Bessemer water to alleviate the boil water advisory. Before the advisory could be lifted, GRWA staff had to replace existing water in storage and the distribution system through pumping and hydrant flushing.

The process was complex and required multiple valves to be exercised in coordination. Thursday, GRWA began this process, flushing and refilling of GRWA storage tanks with the intent to remove the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital from the boil as soon as possible. Friday, GRWA flushed through the remainder of Ironwood Township.

Over the weekend, GRWA’s water samples were tested by White Water Associates laboratory, certified for drinking water analysis by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The GRWA sent in two sets of water samples which yielded negative results both Saturday and Sunday. The GRWA has been working with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, and the City of Wakefield to determine a lift of the Water Boil Advisory. The City of Wakefield’s water samples are tested by White Water Associates laboratory, certified for drinking water analysis by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The City submitted four consecutive sets of tests, twenty-four hours apart, with no traces of Coliform or E.Coli. White Water Associates lab results verify that the municipal water system is safe and no longer needs to be boiled.

We wish to thank the contractors, consultants, engineers, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, The City of Bessemer, The City of Wakefield, and our employees who worked to restore our drinking water operations. Additionally, we thank those who have been impacted for their patience and understanding.

Press Release 05.08.23 Bessemer Township– click to download

Press Release
Contact Information:
Robert A. Brown Jr, City Manager City of Wakefield
Office: 906.229.5131
citymanager@cityofwakefieldmi.gov

For Immediate Release
WATER BOIL ADVISORY LIFTED – Water may be used without boiling.

Wakefield, MI. (May 8, 2023)- The City’s water samples are tested by White Water Associates
laboratory, certified for drinking water analysis by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The City submitted four consecutive sets
of tests, twenty-four hours apart, with no traces of Coliform or E.Coli. White Water Associates lab
results verify that the municipal water system is safe and no longer needs to be boiled.

In the coming months, the City will continue to work with consultants, engineers, and State
agencies to identify well-head improvements to mitigate future disruption of the municipal water
supply.

We wish to thank the contractors, consultants, engineers, the Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes, and Energy, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department, Gogebic Range Water Authority,
and our employees who worked to restore our drinking water operations.
Additionally, we thank those who have been impacted for their patience and understanding.

Press_Release_BoilLifted_08MAY23 – click to download