A boil water order remains in effect for about 2,600 customers of Kingsbury General Improvement District near Lake Tahoe, Nev.
The order was issued after trace amounts of groundwater were found leaking into the distribution system. The order should last about a week.
The order was given by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. Customers in the affected area have been warned to boil water before drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, making ice or washing dishes.
Officials told the Nevada Appeal that the leak is due a failed seal, as well an unusually high groundwater table that has elevated along with the rising level of Lake Tahoe. Shallow groundwater was found leaking into the clear well where the district pumps water into the distribution system.
The leak is estimated to have been at 1 to 2 gallons per minute. Before water enters Kingsbury General’s system, it is treated with chlorine to kill bacteria, and ozone to eliminate bacteria.
Immediately after the leak was discovered, the district took steps to address the problem. A sealant was ordered to plug the leak and a pipe was rerouted. Testing will be done for several days to examine how effective the repairs have been. The boil-water order might last into another week.
Source: Nevada Appeal
