st. paul

Sure glad we're spending tax money on a building that will be used 10 times a year. Nice going Dayton. Instead of putting flower baskets at every intersection downtown, why doesn't something REAL get done like fix the roads, water pipes, bridges, etc?

For those of us still without water, is there any word on when it might return?

The ignorance and total lack of understanding of public policy and basic economics of some of the people who post here is stunning. Do they really believe the weird, extremist stuff they write; are they just parroting what they hear on right-wing radio, or are they writing from a script for which they are paid by some creepy far-right front group.

"Early on, there was confusion and a lack of information being relayed to local restaurants about the water issues, Russo said. "We need a better system," he said." That we need a better system is an understatement and should be said about information for residents, too. The article says, "residents were warned," but we are in the affected area and we heard nothing about the necessity for boiling water until we watched the evening news today, 17 hours after the break. Meanwhile, of course, we've been using water all day. This is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with health problems. I'd like to know just exactly how St. Paul Regional Water Services THINKS it warned residents. Sounds like PR to me.

I'm not sure why Dayton is being blamed for this? Every civil engineer that has worked for the cities or state knows how old the water main systems are getting. Some are 100 years old. You've seen them break down in several places recently. I live in Plymouth and had one break this winter. I guess that leaves the question about fixing our infrastructure problems. Are all of us willing to pay for it or not?

The City of St Paul website has been updated as of about 05:30 this morning: Saint Paul Regional Water Services has lifted a boil water advisory for residents in downtown, West 7th and lower west side. The affected area is bounded by approximately Interstate 35E to the west, Highway 52 to the east, University Ave. to the north, and the bluff line to the south side. "We are lifting the drinking water advisory after receiving the results from our comprehensive water sampling program, confirming that there are no contaminants in the water distribution system," said Steve Schneider, general manager. The lifting of the boil water advisory was done in consultation and the approval of the Minnesota Department of Health. "Customers can resume normal usage," Schneider said. "The water distribution system's service and pressure have returned to normal." The advisory was a precautionary procedure, and tests revealed that the drinking water remains safe for consumption. The water main is repaired and is expected to be returned to service later today, Feb. 10.