Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Catharine Richert
Rochester, Minn.

Mayo: Hospital's discolored water traced to well

Mayo construction
A crane sits on the roof of Mayo Clinic's Saint Marys Hospital during its expansion Thursday, June 14, 2012.
Alex Kolyer for MPR

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Updated: 5:30 p.m. | Posted: 12:44 p.m.

Days after discolored water began running from taps at its Saint Marys hospital campus, Mayo Clinic says water on campus has been cleared for all uses after Olmsted County confirmed that the water meets the state requirements.

"Our staff embraced this challenge, and we are grateful to all staff involved, especially clinical staff, food services, logistics, environmental services and facilities," said Priya Sampathkumar, M.D., chair of Infection Prevention and Control Subcommittee at Mayo Clinic in a statement.

Water was being provided by Rochester Public Utilities after an investigation traced the source of contamination to the well at Saint Marys, Mayo said in a Thursday update. There have been no reports of illness or symptoms.

Initial analyses showed no issues with bacterial contamination or heavy metals, Mayo added. Samples were collected and analyzed for the cafeteria first, and water there was deemed safe to use.

Mayo said pipe systems in several campus buildings have been flushed.

Officials had been handing out bottled water all week as they dealt with contaminant, which they identified late Tuesday as sediment.

The situation is contained to the St. Marys campus, a massive inpatient facility on Rochester's southwest side.

Rochester Public Utilities said earlier in the week it was confident the issue was isolated to the St. Marys campus and that the city's water is safe to drink. The utility said as a precautionary measure it flushed the areas surrounding the campus and "found no discolored water."