Heavy rain causes manure runoff, prompting water advisory in town of Lincoln

LUXEMBURG - The Kewaunee County Public Health Department issued a drinking water advisory to residents and businesses in the town of Lincoln following a report of a solid manure runoff Friday morning.

The runoff happened near County P and Pheasant Road when manure spread on nearby fields washed into a ditch because of heavy rain Thursday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The DNR said the responsible farm, El-Na Farms, is working to contain and collect the manure-laden water. The DNR and Kewaunee County staff are testing water samples for possible contamination. 

The health department alerted people and businesses in the area to use caution with drinking water because of the karst topography of the region. Officials are advising that bottled water should be used if the color, smell or taste of tap water changes.

A text or phone alert was sent to those in the affected area who registered under the RAVE notification system. Alerts were also posted on the Facebook pages for Kewaunee County, Kewaunee County Emergency Management, the health department and Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Department.

Health department staff went door to door to alert people who may not have signed up for RAVE notifications.

The incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with help from the Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Department.

Water testing kits are available from the health department or Land and Water Department. For kits or more information, call 920-388-7160 or 920-845-9700.

Kewaunee County residents interested in signing up for the RAVE message system can  visit kewauneeco.org and click the "Stay Informed" icon on the left side of the page to sign up.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-741-7952, 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Heavy rain causes manure runoff, prompting water advisory in town of Lincoln