(ABC 6 News) — The city of St. Ansgar in Mitchell County has been issued a boil advisory after the system experienced a drop in water pressure, according to the city of St. Ansgar’s Facebook page.

The post went on to recommend that people in the alerted area boil their water before drinking it or cooking with it. The city is advising residents to bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. According to the Facebook post, boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice, because boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

The drop in water pressure occurred during a loss of radio communication between the well and the water tower, the post said. When a drop in water pressure occurs, it can allow bacteria to enter the system.

Two sets of water samples will be taken to determine whether the water is safe and when the advisory can be lifted, however, the water may be used for bathing and other similar purposes, according to the city.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Residents may also call City Hall during business hours at 713-4921, or Water Superintendent Lonnie Hillman at 832-8255.