WINNEMUCCA - City residents can expect to receive notices within the next few days (in accordance with state law) regarding two water samples that showed the presence of coliform bacteria in May in the city's water.
However, City Manager/Engineer Steve West said at Tuesday's city council meeting that there is absolutely no reason for concern, and the water is safe - a retesting was done immediately that showed no coliform.
One possible reason for the original bad samples, according to West, is an issue with the sampling process itself.
"Often, the bad samples are a result of testing practices," West said. "The littlest bit of wind can contaminate a sample."
Each month the city takes 10 water samples, and West said that only occasionally does one come back that does not meet standards. If two samples come back that do not meet standards, which West said he does not recall ever occurring before, a retest is set in motion. This follow-up testing indicated that there was no coliform bacteria present in the city's water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control's website, coliform bacteria is found in plants, water, and soil, and most of the time is not harmful. Most coliform bacteria are a part of the environment and "do not cause disease, but do indicate the water might be contaminated by soil or feces," according to the website.
West said that no action needs to be taken, and water does not need to be boiled. The notice sent out by the city specifically states that this is not an emergency and residents do not need to be concerned.
The notice also indicated that the city is "reviewing our sampling techniques and is working toward reducing the amount of airborne dust at the sites that could contaminate samples."
West said that the city is also inspecting and flushing its tanks and pipes within the distribution system and adjusting chlorine levels.
West said at the meeting that he realizes there will be a lot of questions, but there has never been a contamination problem in the city before (to his knowledge), and there is not one now.
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