Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Hurley — The Hurley City Council received a favorable report Tuesday concerning its water contamination problem.
Water plant operator Gary Laguna said the levels of the contaminants have been coming down and only one reading, in Cary Location, slightly exceeded the maximum level, as measured in parts per billion.
The maximum level is .088 and the city stood at .092 in the one sample, according to Laguna. “I think it could be about half of that (.088 mark),” he said of future readings.
When the city water returns to acceptable levels for the Department of Natural Resources, city residents will be notified by letters of the development, just as they were notified of the levels exceeding standards.
Residents received letters that the drinking water contained levels of Tribalomethanes and Haloacetic acids that violate state and federal regulations and may be cancer-causing if consumed over many years.
The samples were taken on Aug. 24.
The letter to city residents said they do not need to drink only bottled water, unless they have specific health concerns identified by doctors, and there is no “immediate” health risk from the water.
Hurley purchases its water from both Ironwood and Montreal. Laguna said Tuesday Ironwood’s water samples have come in at a “high quality,” but Montreal’s readings weren’t as good, although not considered in violation of state and federal standards.
Hurley’s water tower has been cited as a possible cause of “stale water.” Laguna said it’s recommended that while the water be circulated in the tower every five days, Hurley’s water cycle is more like seven days.
The city council plans to purchase a mixer to circulate the water in the tower.
Data from Hurley, Ironwood and Montreal will be sent to the DNR and the council will hear another report in January.
Mayor Joe Pinardi said the mixer will likely be installed by spring.
In other business Tuesday, the city council:
—Granted a Combination Class B beer and liquor license to Dos de Oro, doing business as El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, on U.S. 51 South, Jose Alvarez agent. A restaurant permit was also granted to the El Dorado restaurant, the former Petrusha’s Supper Club.
—Agreed to renew auditing services with the Wipfli firm, as recommended by the finance committee.
—Approved switching from the Local Government Property Insurance Fund to Municipal Property Insurance, for $8,309.
