The Union County seat has been without drinkable water since Friday morning after a membrane filtration system failed at the Twelve Mile Water Plant.
The tap water is still suitable for bathing and safe for pets and livestock, said Dan McIntosh, general manager of the SIRWA and Creston Water Works’ treatment plant.
"The membranes are about $1 million," McIntosh said.
She was grateful for Hy-Vee’s giveaway but knew it wouldn’t last long.
"With drinking water, even if it’s boiled, I just don’t trust it."
"It was all four membranes all at the same time," he said.
But he said that water is "still available."
‘There’s a lot of frustration’ While people have found practical workarounds to the water situation, many are still upset over the mixed messages and hazy timeline coming from the water utility.
"There’s a lot of frustration with the lack of communication," said Brian Davis, a member of Creston’s city council and the assistant director of Creston’s Hy-Vee store.
At Peterson’s home in northeast Creston, she developed a system for boiling, cooling and storing water in her kitchen.