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Sunday, July 8, 2018

Sweetwater Drinking Water Update

Bobbie Bicknell Coray, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

The Bear Lake Water Company serving Sweetwater received notice of a bad water sample taken in the Golf Course area on Friday, July 6th.  Steve Hislop,  Bear Lake Water Company, said "We feel that we found the problem. The home where the sample was taken had a sprinkler system hooked to their home water supply without a backflow device. We are required to issue this order by The State DOW. The problem seems to be only at this one house but please do not take a chance and boil your water. We will resolve this as soon as possible. Thank you for your help in this matter.  Until samples can confirm the status of the water quality you are advised to boil the water before using. "

On Saturday, July 7, another test was taken.  It takes 24 hours to get results from the samples, so a result came in on Sunday.  Three out of four tests were clear.  Another sample was taken on Sunday.  There have to be at least 2 clear samples before the boil advisory is cleared.  Hislop said that this would take some time.  But that they are working on it diligently. 

He said several warnings have been sent to Homeowners over the years telling them to put in backflow regulators but some have put in systems themselves and have ignored the warning.  Right now this can be traced to one home.

"This is just an advisory, said Hislop, not an order. A boil order is when there are confirmed results for E.coli in the system. We have not had any positive samples for coliform bacteria."

Boil drinking water, 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. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

Hislop said that they will notify HOA members when tests show no bacteria.  This will take time.

For more information, please contact Steve Hislop 435-881-3166 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. The Utah Division of Drinking Water is available for consumer questions at 801-536-4986.

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