Lakewood Health System water may be contaminated

Lakewood Health System in Staples was under a "Code Orange" Friday because of its water.

Lakewood learned that its water potentially contained bacteria - which if consumed could pose health risks - after conducting routine laboratory testing on the main campus.

In a news release, Lakewood reported that further testing was being conducted through the hospital, the city of Staples and the Minnesota Department of Health. Results of the tests were not expected to be available until late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

Tim Rice, Lakewood president, who was out of state at a conference, could not be reached for comment.

Rachel McDougall, marketing director of Lakewood, said in an e-mail that there were no reported illnesses as a result of the potential water situation.

Staples Public Works director Doug Bendorf said the city assisted Lakewood in the testing of the possible contaminated water. Testing of the city's water supply was conducted to see if the city water was contaminated, but it was determined that the city's water was not affected.

"(Staples) city residents should rest assured that they (are) not in danger and are encouraged to continue with water usage and consumption as usual," Lakewood reported. "This is an isolated incident at the Lakewood Health System main campus."

Bendorf, who has been employed with the city for four days, said he could not comment any further on the water testing and referred all questions about the possible water contamination to Lakewood officials.

"Until results are conclusive, precautionary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of Lakewood Health System's patients, customers and employees," Lakewood said in the news release.

Notices were sent out to all employees informing them to halt all facility water and coffee consumption and to drink only bottled water. Employees also were asked to use provided alcohol-based hand sanitizer after washing hands with the facility's water.

The news release also said "that testing and precautionary measures are under way, including a facility-wide 'flushing' of the water system to sanitize the lines, as we know the water from the city is safe."

McDougall, who released the news release, said she couldn't release anymore details on the possible water contamination, including how the hospital conducts its routine water checks. When asked where the staff conducted the water testing Friday that detected the possible bacteria, McDougall would only comment, "In the hospital."

Doug Schultz, Minnesota Department of Health spokesperson, Friday said the department was working with Lakewood on the possible water contamination. Schultz said that he was not sure if the hospital took the initial test correctly or not, so the final result of the city's test will determine whether the water in the hospital is contaminated.

According to Lakewood's website, it is a 25-bed, critical access facility with acute and transitional care services. The hospital is part of the main campus just off Highway 10 east of Staples.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.