Diesel Fuel Found In Utah Spring

By Sara Jerome
@sarmje

Diesel fuel detected in the city springs of Nibley, UT, recently led to a do-not-use order and widespread concern about the state of local drinking water.

It's the kind of problem that every utility hopes it won't face but must prepare for since vehicle mishaps are common and oil-and-gas operations speckle the landscape across the country.

"Residents were ordered not to drink, cook with or bathe in culinary water for at least 48 hours [on Wednesday, April 22] after diesel fuel was discovered in the city spring," KSL reported, citing city officials.

"The city received a call from a resident regarding the situation at about 2 p.m. The Public Works Department then investigated the situation and isolated what the city believes to be the source of the contamination at the spring by 3 p.m.," the report continued, citing Mayor Shaun Dustin.

Officials believe a vehicle near the spring contaminated the water, according city manager David Zook. He warned residents that boiling their water would not make it drinkable.

Officials worked around the clock for the next several days to safeguard the water supply, according to a city announcement. By Friday night, the do-not-use order was lifted, but a do-not-drink order remained.

After completing a second flush of the city water system, the city sent out water samples for testing. The tests showed the water was clean, according to the announcement. The city sent out a second set of samples for testing, and those also came back clean.

"The City consulted with the Utah Department of Drinking Water and the Bear River Health Department regarding the results and the City was given authorization to lift restrictions. The City [proceeded] from a Do-Not-Use status to a Do-Not-Drink status as an extra precaution until additional flushing is completed," the announcement said.

Residents were asked to systematically flush the water in their homes according to a schedule set by the city. On Sunday afternoon, a do-not-drink order remained.

"The City has been divided into zones to flush in an organized manner. Please follow the following steps when you are notified to start. The expected time is approximately 50 minutes," the instructions said.

The city has been posting updates on Facebook and seeking volunteers to help out.

"As residents are flushing their household pipes right now, our sewer system is handling 1,500 gallons of water per minute. That compares to a peak on an average day of 300 gallons per minute," the Facebook page said.

When it comes to potential contamination of the water supply by diesel fuels, the EPA plays a role in oversight. "EPA has developed revised UIC Class II permitting guidance specific to oil and gas hydraulic fracturing activities using diesel fuels," the agency says.

Copyright © 1996 - 2015, VertMarkets, Inc. All rights reserved.  To subscribe or visit go to:  http://www.wateronline.com

http://www.wateronline.com/doc/diesel-fuel-found-in-utah-spring-0001