Idaho Falls boil water advisory lifted

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Idaho Falls city officials just received notice from the local lab the water sampling test results came back negative. As a result, the City of Idaho Falls is lifting the boil water advisory, effective immediately. 

Residents can resume using water normally, including for drinking, washing and cooking.  

The mechanical issue that caused the water pressures to briefly drop Thursday morning has been resolved. 

The last time the city of Idaho Falls experienced a water system issue that resulted in a boil water advisory was in 2012. All systems have been operating normally since that time. 

As an additional precautionary measure, residents are encouraged to flush their water systems at each of the faucets used for drinking water and to do so for approximately 5 minutes per faucet. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The city’s Water Division routinely monitors the conditions in the drinking water distribution system. On the morning of Jan. 5, 2023 the city experienced a drop in water pressure below 20 psi due to mechanical issues at two of the city’s wells. Public water systems are required to maintain a minimum of 20 psi during emergency situations. 

A drop in water pressure creates conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow, by backpressure, or back-siphoning. As a result, there is an increased chance that the drinking water may contain disease-causing organisms. 

While there was no known contamination of the water system, the boil advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution until water sampling confirming the absence of disease-causing organisms. 

There are a total of 20 wells in the city; only three of those wells operate during winter months when irrigation is not needed to water lawns and fields. 

When the mechanical issues occurred in two of the wells on Thursday morning, water pressures within the boil advisory area dropped below 20 psi for a brief time.  Within 20 minutes of being notified by the automated system that pressures had dropped, personnel from the Idaho Falls Water Division had normalized pressures and began the process of identifying the cause of the mechanical issues. 

Shortly after normalizing the system yesterday, Public Works personnel notified the local office of Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) and began working on public notifications. According to the DEQ, the city has 24-hours to make public notifications after personnel are made aware of an issue in the system. Simultaneous with those efforts, personnel began sampling the water at city wells in accordance with DEQ guidelines.

After the water sampling was completed on Jan. 5, the samples were taken to a local lab for evaluation. The standard incubation period for sampling is 12 hours. At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 6, city officials received notice from the lab that all of the samples can back negative. City personnel began notifying the public through various notification systems within 15 minutes of receiving that notification. 

For additional concerns or questions, please contact Idaho Falls Public Works at (208) 612-8250. 

To receive communications directly from the city, download the new City of Idaho Falls app and/or click on the blue Stay Informed / Sign up button at www.idahofallsidaho.gov to sign up for various types of notifications. The public is also encouraged to stay tuned to local media outlets (TV, print, radio, web) during emergency situations. 

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ORIGINAL: Due to a drop in water pressure, the City of Idaho Falls is issuing a boil water advisory for all properties located both north of Sunnyside Road and west of Interstate 15, effective immediately. 

The city’s Water Division routinely monitors the conditions in the drinking water distribution system. The morning of January 5, 2023 the city experienced a drop in water pressure below 20 psi due to mechanical issues at two of the city’s wells. Public water systems are required to maintain a minimum of 20 psi during emergency situations. 

A drop in water pressure creates conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow, by backpressure, or back-siphoning. As a result, there is an increased chance that the drinking water may contain disease-causing organisms.

“To clarify, there is no known contamination of the water system. This boil advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution until water sampling can confirm that the water does not contain disease-causing organisms,” Idaho Falls Water Superintendent Dave Richards said. “In anticipation of events such as these, we chlorinate our source water to protect water quality within the system."

The timeframe in which the boil water advisory will be lifted is unknown at this time and depends on the results of the water sampling being done now. Water sampling, once submitted to the lab, typically take approximately 12 hours to complete. The city of Idaho Falls will issue another notice when property owners no longer need to boil water. 

“The reason that the boil advisory is not needed for properties that are both south of Sunnyside Road AND east of Interstate 15 is that the elevation is lower in those areas and as a result pressures did not drop below 20 psi in the wells providing water to those areas,” Richards said.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS: 

• 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 water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.
• You may continue to use your water to wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
• The symptoms above are caused by many types of organisms. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

There are a total of 20 wells in the city of Idaho Falls; only three of those wells operate during winter months when irrigation is not needed to water lawns and fields. 

When the mechanical issues occurred in two of the wells, water pressures within the boil advisory area dropped below 20 psi for a brief time.  Within 20 minutes of being notified by the automated system that pressures had dropped, personnel from the Idaho Falls Water Division had normalized pressures and began the process of identifying the cause of the mechanical issues. 

Shortly after normalizing the system, Public Works personnel notified the local office of Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) and began working on public notifications. According to the DEQ, the city has 24-hours to make public notifications after personnel are made aware of an issue in the system. Simultaneous with those efforts, personnel began sampling the water at city wells in accordance with DEQ guidelines.

“The system is up, pressurized, and functioning normally, however we are taking every precaution necessary needed to ensure that our water is safe to drink for our residents, including issuing this boil advisory. We are working diligently to identify the issue immediately and will take necessary measures to ensure that the mechanical issue does not happen again,” Idaho Falls Public Works Director Chris Fredericksen said. 

To receive accurate information directly for the city of Idaho Falls, download the new City of Idaho Falls app or go to www.idahofallsidaho.gov and click on the blue Stay Informed/Sign up button for other notification options. 

For additional information about the boil water advisory call Idaho Falls Public Works at (208) 612-8250.