For Immediate Release
May 11, 2017
Contact: Lisa Enourato
(208) 720-9766
[email protected]
DEQ Requires Ketchum Drinking Water Advisory Urging Residents, Businesses to Boil
Water Before Consumption, Cooking and Other Uses
KETCHUM – The City of Ketchum, in compliance with state laws and Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality regulations, have issued a drinking water advisory urging residents and
business owners in the City of Ketchum to boil water delivered by the municipal water system before
consumption.
The boil advisory goes into effect immediately and should be considered for most uses, including
water used for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth and cleaning dish and glassware. The
advisory is expected to be lifted by Friday.
The advisory was issued after a single, untreated groundwater sample at one of the city’s wells tested
positive for E. coli and coliform. A treated water sample, tested at the same time from the same well,
showed no signs of bacteria.
The positive sample was detected as part of the city’s heightened monitoring of the water delivery
system amid recent flooding of the Big Wood River and its tributaries. The department stepped up
monitoring after receiving reports of discolored water in the system. It’s important to understand
that discolored water does not always indicate the water is contaminated. The city’s treatment
process removes bacteria, but not color. The well has been taken out of service out of an abundance
of caution and other wells have been put into service.
Ongoing sampling and testing shows that the city’s water is safe, but city officials also recognize the
importance of following requirements to advise residents about the situation. DEQ will lift the
advisory once two consecutive days of test results are clear of bacteria.
The positive sample is the result of a clerical mistake made by city staff in the process of sending in
the sample for testing, Enourato said.
On the form sent with the sample, staff should have checked a box indicating that the sample was a
“special sample” and that non-treated, raw water was not entering the drinking water system.
Instead, staff made an error in checking the wrong box on the form, which triggered DEQ’s
notification requirements to issue a boil advisory.
“This is an unfortunate clerical mistake and we apologize,” said Pat Cooley, Utilities Services
Supervisor. “But I also want to be clear that no untreated water entered the city’s drinking water
system. Ketchum water is safe.”
“The city recognizes the inconvenience this advisory will cause for residents and business owners
across the city, but we must adhere to state law,” Cooley said. “We are taking all the necessary steps
to address this issue and working closely with state officials to have the advisory lifted as soon as
possible.”
Public health guidelines recommend bringing all water used for consumption purposes to a full boil
for at least one minute. The water can then be cooled before drinking, cooking or other uses. Boiling
kills bacteria or other organisms present in the water.
City staff intends to continue enhanced monitoring of its municipal drinking water system throughout
the flood event.
For more information and updates, visit the city’s website at: www.ketchumidaho.org
###
This drinking water advisory is being issued by the DEQ due to a failed raw water sample BEFORE
disinfection.
DRINKING WATER WARNING
E. coli is present in the raw source water in one of the wells that service the City of
Ketchum
BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING
Due to current flood conditions, the City of Ketchum has undertaken enhanced monitoring of its wells
and distribution system. On May 9th coliform and E-coli bacteria were detected in a single raw water
sample at the North Wood well. Raw water is source water before any disinfection occurs. A
distribution sample was taken at the same time and showed no sign of coliform or e-coli bacteria.
We have not seen contamination in previously taken samples. The Northwood well has been taken
out of service and we are taking follow up samples to confirm the integrity of our drinking water
system. Enhanced monitoring will continue throughout the system until the flood cycle has passed.
All city water wells are treated with sodium hypochlorite, and continue to provide clean, safe water.
What should I do? What does this mean?
•
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for
one minute and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should
be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until
further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
•
*E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with
human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such
as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health
City of Ketchum, 5/11/17, Page 2 of 3
risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune
systems. *
•
The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience
any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at
increased risk should seek advice from their healthcare providers about drinking this water.
DEQ and the City of Ketchum Water Department are taking precautionary measures to ensure there
is not a public health concern.
*please share this information with all other people who drink this water, especially those who may
not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments nursing homes, school, and
businesses.) You can do this by posting in a public space or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by City of Ketchum Public Works. PWS ID 5070028
Date distributed: May 11, 2017.
City of Ketchum, 5/11/17, Page 3 of 3