OTTUMWA — Ottumwa’s water is safe to use.

That was the word Sunday as the Sate Hygienic Lab contacted the Ottumwa Water Works and confirmed that water samples taken from eight points in the water delivery system have all tested negative for bacterial contamination. The Iowa DNR lifted the boil order for Ottumwa and residents can now consume the water with confidence. All food services and restaurants were told they could resume their regular operations immediately.

Residents are being asked to use water with some moderation for the next week as the Ottumwa Water and Hydro systems resume their regular operations and return to full capacity.

Ottumwa Water and Hydro plant manager Richard Wilcox thanked everyone in the community for their efforts during the emergency.

“The citizens of Ottumwa responded in a serious way to reduce their personal consumption and water use to allow the system to hold the line while crews worked to restore plant operations and capacity,” he said in a statement.