Update: JWC Recaps July 13-14 Water Boil Advisory
The cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope work together through the Joint Water Commission (JWC) to provide safe, treated drinking water to their residents. On Sunday, July 13, a technical fault occurred in the water system’s computerized control equipment. This triggered a chain of events that required rapid response, complex coordination, and clear public communication between all three cities.

What Happened?
A technical failure in the water system caused a loss of water pressure, triggering a boil water advisory.

A problem occurred in the computer that controls the Golden Valley Water Tower and helps manage the water system’s operations. As a result, the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system—which is the technology that allows different parts of the water system to "talk" to each other—stopped communicating.

As a safety precaution during this communication failure, the Golden Valley Water Tower and North Water Tower in New Hope automatically closed a valve at each location, cutting themselves off from the rest of the system. This is a built-in safeguard to prevent damage or uncontrolled water flow when there’s uncertainty in the system. Important Note: The South Water Tower at Medicine Lake, which typically provides important redundancy in the system, is currently out of service for maintenance.

Staff in Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope noticed low water pressure and called in teams to locate and resolve the issue.

Why Was A Boil Advisory Issued?
When water pressure drops below 20 psi, there’s a small risk that contaminants can enter the system. A boil advisory is a safety measure until pressure and water quality are confirmed stable.

Golden Valley staff manually opened a valve at their water tower to start recharging the system—this means slowly letting water flow back in to restore pressure. New Hope and Golden Valley staff manually opened the valve at New Hope’s North Water Tower to help further restore pressure. Important Note: These valves can’t be opened all at once. The system must be re-pressurized gradually to avoid breaking underground water pipes (called watermains). Increasing pressure too quickly can cause major damage across the cities.

Operational staff from all three cities closely monitored the system, slowly opening valves to bring the system back to full water pressure. This was a careful, time-sensitive process that required tight coordination between the three cities.

Staff from the three cities collected water samples for testing by the City of Minneapolis. It takes 24 hours for test results to be complete.

On Monday, July 14, all samples tested negative for total coliforms and E coli, and the boil water advisory was lifted.

Why Was It Challenging?
The incident required synchronized action and decision-making across three different cities, each managing their part of the same interconnected water system while assessing rapidly evolving information.

Sign Up For Emergency Alerts?
Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope all have opt-in emergency notification systems. These tools help cities more effectively communicate with residents during emergencies. They provide information via text, phone call, or email, depending on subscriber preferences. The systems are only used during community-wide or localized emergencies as well as in situations that may affect public safety or City services.

• New Hope residents can sign up for Smart911 through West Metro Fire-Rescue District at newhopemn.gov/Smart911.
• Crystal residents can sign up for Smart911 through West Metro Fire-Rescue District at go.crystalmn.gov/Smart911.
• Golden Valley residents can sign up for GV Emergency at www.goldenvalleymn.gov/Alerts
     
  

Boil Water Advisory Canceled; Comprehensive Report to Be Released When Available
July 14, 4 p.m.

The boil water advisory issued Sunday, July 13 for the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope has been officially lifted. Water quality testing completed by the Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed that the water is safe to drink and use as normal.

Water users no longer need to boil water for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. All residents and businesses may resume regular water use.

Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Health suggests the following:

• Flush household pipes and faucets. Run each cold-water faucet for 5 minutes or until the water is noticeably colder.
• Throw away any existing ice. If you have an icemaker, flush the feed lines and throw away the first new bin of ice.
• Flush hot water heaters, water coolers, and any other water storage container. Flush with at least one full tank volume.
• Clean water softeners and filters following the manufacturer’s instructions. Replace disposable filters.

The cities thank water users for their patience and cooperation while they worked with state and local partners to ensure the safety of the water supply.

The JWC cities recognize the public’s interest in knowing exactly what happened and when with the recent water boil advisory. The JWC will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Currently, data is still being collected. Once more details are confirmed, a comprehensive update will be provided.

Since 1963, the cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope have worked cooperatively as the Joint Water Commission (JWC) to provide treated drinking water to their residents. The JWC purchases treated Mississippi River water from Minneapolis, stores it in JWC reservoirs and water towers, and provides it to the three cities for delivery to residents. Independently, the three cities operate and maintain their own water distribution systems and charge their customers for these services as necessary.

Boil Water Advisory Remains in Effect for Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope – Update: July 14, 11 a.m.

The boil water advisory remains in place for the cities of Crystal, Golden Valley and New Hope following a temporary drop in water pressure on Sunday, July 13. While water pressure has been restored and no contamination has been confirmed, the Minnesota Department of Health must complete required testing before the advisory can be lifted.

Until further notice, please continue to boil tap water (or use bottled water) before:

• Drinking
• Cooking or preparing food
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes or baby bottles

When lab testing is complete, the information will be shared on your city’s website as soon it becomes available.

Protecting public health and safety is our top priority. Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

Boil Water Advisory in Effect - Update: July 13, 3:30 p.m.
Out of an abundance of caution, a boil water advisory has been issued for Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope due to a temporary drop in water pressure. While there’s no confirmed contamination, cities are following state health guidelines to make sure your water is completely safe.

This kind of disruption can be stressful—especially when it affects your home, your routine, and your peace of mind. Know that the cities are doing everything can to resolve it quickly and safely.

What this means for you:
Until the advisory is lifted, please boil your tap water (or use bottled water) before using it for:

• Drinking
• Cooking or preparing food
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes or baby bottles

Thanks to support from the City of Minneapolis, the required testing process is underway. It takes 16–18 hours for results to come back, so the advisory will remain in place for at least 24 hours. When lab testing is complete, the information will be shared here as soon as it is available.

City crews have already fixed the pressure issue and are flushing and sampling the system to make sure everything meets health and safety standards.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Boil Water Advisory Update – Testing Underway - July 13, 12:10 p.m.
Water pressure has been restored in Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope. The Minnesota Department of Health is currently testing water samples to confirm safety.

What You Need to Know

•  The boil water advisory remains in effect until confirmation that the water is safe.
• Do not drink or cook with tap water unless it’s been boiled for at least one minute or use bottled water.
• More detailed information about community drinking water advisories is available from the Minnesota Department of Health website at bit.ly/dwaguidance.

Next Update: When lab testing is complete, additional updates will be provided. 

Original Message: July 13, 9 a.m.
The Joint Water Commission (JWC) has issued a boil water advisory for all water users in Crystal, Golden Valley, and New Hope effective immediately and until further notice.

The advisory follows a temporary loss of water pressure in the system. Pressure has been restored, but the Minnesota Department of Health must confirm water safety before the advisory is lifted.

What Should You Do?
Until the advisory is lifted:

• Do not drink tap water or use it for brushing teeth, making ice, or cooking unless it has been boiled.
• Use bottled water or boil tap water before use:
  • Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one (1) minute.
  • Allow it to cool before using.
• Boiled or bottled water should be used for:
  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Making ice
  • Preparing food and baby formula

Boiling kills bacteria and other harmful organisms that may be present in the water.

Safe to Use
Tap water can be used without boiling for:

• Showering and bathing
• Washing hands
• Laundry and cleaning (avoid ingesting)

After the Advisory Is Lifted

Once the Department of Health clears the water and the boil order is lifted, it is recommended that you:

• Flush indoor plumbing, including faucets, ice makers, and water fountains.
• Discard ice made during the advisory.

Updates will be added to this article as available.