Tilden Township residents in Marquette County must boil all tap water starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, while crews repair the township's booster station.

Township officials said the repairs could cause a drop in water pressure, creating a risk of bacterial contamination, according to WBUP/WJMN. As an extra safeguard, the township is adding chlorine to the water system during the advisory period.

The township posted the advisory on its official website Monday, Aug. 31. Tilden Township offices are located on County Road PG near Ishpeming.

The advisory is expected to last at least a couple of days, the township told WLUC TV6. Staff members are flushing the water system and collecting bacteriological samples from locations across the distribution network to verify water quality meets state drinking water standards.

The testing process takes 48 to 56 hours from the first round of sample collection to the final round of results. Once all bacteriological samples come back negative, the township will lift the advisory and discontinue chlorine treatment.

What residents should do

All tap water must be brought to a full rolling boil for one minute, then cooled before use. Bottled water is also acceptable.

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and preparing food. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may be in the water supply.

The township said it will notify customers when the advisory is lifted and boiling is no longer necessary.

Contact information

Residents with questions can contact Matt Champion at Tilden Township at (906) 235-9347 or [email protected].

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline offers general guidelines on reducing the risk of infection from microbes. That number is 1-800-426-4791.

The advisory remains in effect as of publication. Residents should check tildentwp.org for updates.

Residents with questions can contact Matt Champion, Tilden Township's water operator and DPW supervisor, at (906) 235-9347 or [email protected].