Eldon boil order nears its third week after city samples test positive again for bacteria linked to E. Coli
ELDON, Mo. (KMIZ)
Eldon residents are still under a boil order as of Saturday, marking the 18th day.
The city posted on its social media, saying it collected eight water samples from four locations that previously tested positive for Total Coliform, and one sample came back with traces of the bacteria. That sample was taken from the northern part of the city.
Total Coliform isn't harmful; however, its presence usually means other bacteria can be in the water as well, according to the city.
E. Coli was found on a routine water test Dec. 16, and the boil order was issued on Dec. 17. That bacteria hasn't been found in recent testing.
The city has since been flushing water lines to fix the problem, but the positive test in the northern part of Eldon is keeping the boil order active.
Some Eldon residents are frustrated that they don't have readily accessible drinking water. Residents have to either boil contaminated water or buy bottled water.
Laura Simmons Markway is an Eldon realtor in the city. She said she bought her last client of 2025 a case of bottled water.
"Part of her closing gift, I bought a case of water, which she was grateful for, but questioned whether or not this was a community she should have invested in," Simmons Markway said.
She also said the boil order is stretching the pockets of many community members.
"We're a blue-collar community, and they're hourly workers, so purchasing bottled water or boiling water is not just inconvenient, but it's costly for them," Simmons Markway said.
The city needs two consecutive water sample tests to come back clean before it can lift the boil order.
"The City will continue additional flushing, testing, and necessary protocols and will keep residents informed as new information becomes available," The City of Eldon posted posted to social media. "We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the required steps to resolve this."
