DEQ issues Island Park boil water order, advisory
UPDATE: THURSDAY JUNE 6, 2022
ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) - Thursday morning the person in charge of the Island Park water dropped off a statement at Local News 8's offices, but was gone before we could talk with her.
The statement contains new information on the boil orders in Island Park.
The Island Park water company has issued a drinking water warning for the goose bay estates in Island Park.
They write that on July 6th, the company "shut down the wells for an emergency repair." This led to a drop in water pressure that could allow contamination to the system.
The warning comes in conjunction with two boil orders from the Department of Environmental Quality.
Wednesday, the DEQ issued a boil water "advisory" for shotgun north and shotgun kickapoo in Island Park due to low water pressure.
Until further notice from the DEQ, residents and businesses connected to Shotgun North and Shotgun kickapoo water systems are advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming or use bottled water.
The DEQ has also issued a boil water "order" for goose bay estates, aspen ridge subdivision, valley view subdivision, and shotgun cherokee subdivision in Island Park.
The DEQ found E. Coli bacteria in the subdivisions’ water supplies during multiple on-site evaluations and sample collection events.
Until further notice residents and businesses there are also advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming.
The Island Park Water Company is already in hot water with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
Last month, the commission charged the Island Park water company $434,000, for failure to provide its customers safe and reliable service.
The company was also charged with improperly billing customers, retaliating against customers who contacted the utility with concerns about service and failing to respond to requests from the Commission for records, among other violations.
Now the commission may issue further penalties after the company’s reconsideration and appeal time has ended.
The company had until July 5, 2023, to file a request for reconsideration with the PUC.
According to Deputy Attorney General Claire Sharp, the Island Park water did make a legal filing. Which now means that PUC staff has 7 days to reply.
Sharp writes that "the Commission must issue a decision on the request for reconsideration within 28 days after the matter is fully submitted." The 28 days begins after the PUC replies to the water company's request.
Based on what they find we could see them charge the Island Park water company even more.
The Boil Order main affects some residential areas of Island Park.
ORIGINAL:
ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) — The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is issuing a boil water order and a boil water advisory for parts of Island Park.
First, the DEQ is issuing a boil water order for Goose Bay Estates, Aspen Ridge Subdivision, Valley View Subdivision and Shotgun Cherokee Subdivision in Island Park, Idaho. The DEQ found E. coli bacteria in the subdivisions’ water supplies during multiple on-site evaluations and sample collection events. These bacteria can make you sick and are especially a concern for people with weakened immune systems.
Until further notice from DEQ, residents and businesses connected to Goose Bay Estates, Aspen Ridge Subdivision, Valley View Subdivision, and Shotgun Cherokee Subdivision water systems are advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming or use bottled water.
Second, a boil water advisory has been issued for Shotgun North and Shotgun Kickapoo in Island Park, Idaho.
During routine drinking water distribution system monitoring, DEQ was made aware of the ongoing lack of water and pressure on May 1, 2023. At this time, it is unclear to DEQ what is causing the problem. A drop in/loss of water pressure creates conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through backflow, by backpressure, or back-siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the drinking water may contain disease-causing organisms.
Until further notice from DEQ, residents and businesses connected to Shotgun North and Shotgun Kickapoo water systems are advised to boil their water for a minimum of one minute before consuming or use bottled water.
For more information, contact the following:
Island Park Water Company
455 Constitution Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 521‐2369
water@ida.net
Kelsey Carter
Drinking Water Analyst
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
900 N. Skyline, Ste. B
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(208) 528‐2650
Kelsey.Carter@deq.idaho.gov
