Ephrata lifts water boil advisory; breached pipe repaired

EPHRATA – The City of Ephrata announced Thursday morning that its water boil advisory has been lifted after a state-certified testing laboratory confirmed the municipal water supply is safe and clean for human consumption.

“This means residents may safely resume normal use of water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and all other purposes,” the city announced in online postings and other notifications.

For systems that have been unused or lightly used, it was suggested to open taps and let water run for a bit to flush out potential sediment or residual chlorine. Initially, the water may be slightly discolored.

Issued Monday, the water boil advisory cautioned residents about possible contamination following discovery of a breached underground water main below two city reservoirs on Beasley Hill.

Public works personnel were first notified around 1:30 a.m. on Labor Day about lack of water pressure in the east and south parts of town. Assisted by Ephrata police, they searched in the darkness for the fault. A fractured section of exposed pipe was found a few hours later about 100 yards south of the Grant County Youth Services Center. Crews were able to isolate and close off the aging 12-inch water main, then restore water service throughout the community shortly afterward.

Repairs to the breached section of pipe – obscured in an area of overgrown sagebrush and tall grasses -- were completed on Wednesday. City water department manager Rolo Garcia estimated that 3 million gallons of water escaped from the reservoirs and flowed into the Bureau of Reclamation’s nearby West Canal at a rate of about 2,000 gallons per minute.

The pipe was installed and buried underground in advance of the canal’s construction in the early 1950s.

During a council meeting Wednesday evening, Ephrata public works director Rob Harris commended city personnel – “great team members,” he said – for their response efforts on a holiday weekend.

City administrator Ray Towry said an “after-action review” will be conducted to examine cause-and-effects of the incident. “We have questions,” he told council members. “We’re not exactly sure what happened yet.”

Towry anticipated providing updated information at the council’s Sept. 17 meeting.

In its Thursday notification rescinding the boil advisory, the city stated, “We sincerely appreciate the patience, cooperation, and support shown by our residents throughout this situation. Your efforts made a difference and helped our crew focus on resolving the issue as quickly and safely as possible.”