Warm Springs, OR — May 4, 2020
BOIL WATER NOTICE
Loss of pressure in the Schoolie Water System
BOIL YOUR WATER FOR THREE MINUTES BEFORE USING
Bring tap water to a rolling boil, boil for three minutes, and cool before using. Or use bottled water certified for sale by the Oregon State Department of Health. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.
This Boil Water Notice applies to all residences and businesses in the Warm Springs agency area.
What Happened?
On Monday, May 4, 2020 the Schoolie Flats water distribution system lost pressure due to excessive use of the potable water supply for livestock purposes This has been an on-going issue for the Schoolie Flats water system that we have tried to mitigate in the past by informing residents in that area to only use the potable water supply for human consumption only. With the small reservoir, it is already difficult to maintain an adequate supply for domestic use. The excessive use for livestock watering surpassed the systems ability to maintain an adequate supply causing a significant loss of pressure. When water mains lose pressure it increases the chance that untreated water and harmful microbes can enter your water. Harmful microbes in drinking water can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms and may pose a special health risk for infants, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. But these symptoms are not just caused by microbes in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you should seek medical advice.
What is being done?
The Branch of Public Utilities water crew will be running the booster pumps 24/7 to bring the reservoir levels back up to safe levels. We anticipate the return of adequate pressures in the next couple of days at which time BacT samples will be drawn and sent off to be tested. Once the BacT samples meet the EPA requirements the Boil Water Notice will be lifted.
For more information, please contact:
Chico Holliday, Branch of Public Utilities, Water & Wastewater division at (541) 553-3246. Please share this information with other people who drink this water, especially anyone who may not get this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
PWSID 104101102
Date distributed: May 4, 2020
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