Pasadena Park Irrigation District – Water is Safe
Pasadena Park Irrigation District No. 17
Boil Water Advisory Question and Answers Updated on March 27, 2014
What happened?
- Because some routine samples showed a potential problem with the water system, we told the system operator that repeat samples should be tested.
- When the repeat samples confirmed that there really might be a problem, we told the water system to issue a boil-water advisory.
- Our process is very conservative and protective. The water system samples the water regularly, and if the samples indicate a potential problem, we issue a BW A as a precautionary measure.
Why didn’t I hear about the Boil Water Advisory sooner?
- The repeat sample tests were not ready until late Friday afternoon.
- Schools were notified immediately on Friday late afternoon, and water system personnel started door-to-door notification, which continued into Saturday afternoon.
- For a system this size with more than 2,300 connections and a small staff, it’s challenging to contact everyone directly. That’s why we issued a news release Friday night as a supplement.
- By mid-day Saturday, the media had been reporting the advisory since Friday night. For a system this size, we issue news releases as an extra means of getting word out about the advisory.
Did the water system adequately meet its responsibility to notify all customers?
- Our staff was in touch with the water system throughout the weekend. We’re aware they made a strong effort to get everyone notified. Our office worked with the news media over the weekend so that blanketed coverage would occur as well. For a system this size it’s difficult to get the word out to everyone. Water system personnel continued to notify customers throughout the week. We believe that the water system’s effort and our work with the media resulted in the word getting out to the vast majority of customers within 24 hours.
What was the problem and what was done to fix it?
- The Department of Health inspected the system to identify the cause of the bad samples. Sometimes in these situations there isn’t always a clear explanation for bad sample results, and sometimes it can be a combination of things, including a problem with the sampling location, or a problem with the disinfection system. Both of these problems may have contributed to the problem here at Pasadena Park last week.
- Water system personnel chlorinated and flushed the system at the end of last week, and they have taken steps to ensure that the system is adequately disinfected at all times. They revised their sampling procedures to ensure all samples in the future are representative of the water in the system.
How do we know the water is safe to drink now?
- Water system personnel collected and tested a series of water quality samples at the source and throughout the system to evaluate the safety of the water. The final test results were available Thursday morning.
- Because all the test results showed that the water is safe to drink, the advisory was lifted.
Should I be worried about my family’s health?
- If you are not experiencing any symptoms, there’s no need to worry.
- If you have symptoms, talk to your health care provider, and mention the boil water advisory.
Could anything have been done differently or better?
- With any event like this, we will debrief with all involved parties to see if anything could have been done differently and find potential improvements.
Download a pdf of the 3/21/14 advisory, 3/27/14 Water is Safe Notification and the 4/23/14 Spokesman Review editorial entitled, ” Water alert a lesson in ways things can go wrong.