Small Town News

PUD 1 awarded for Grace under Pressure

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Last October Mason County PUD 1 was faced with a dilemma it had never faced before the water in two of its wells tested positive for E. coli.

In conjuction with national drinking water week, this month, the Washington State Department of Health's Office of Drinking Water will recognize PUD 1 for "Grace Under Pressure," during the disaster, according to a health department press release.

"We had heavy rains in September and early October of that year it contaminated the Canal Mutual and Minerva Terrace water systems," said Joc-elyne Gray, PUD 1's Director of operations for water. "This is the first time PUD 1 had any problems with water contamination."

That heavy rainfall, amounting to about 200 percent above normal, washed material contaminated with E. coli down the hillsides and into the wells, Gray said.

Gray said that PUD 1 employees were surprised that the Canal Mutual well was contaminated considering that it was only a few years old.

After discovering that the wells were contaminated, PUD officials established a boil water order, then hand delivered notifications to affected customers and gave out bottled water.

To contain the E. coli contamination, the PUD installed chlorination systems on the two affected wells. The chlorination system on the Canal Mutual well was active on November 19, and at Minerva Terrace on December 23. Both chlorination systems are now permanent to ensure such a contamination will not happen again.

"It's a continuous chlorine system," Gray said.

The health department is recognizing the PUD for not only its efforts to contain the contamination quickly, but also for working closely with customers.

Denise Clifford, director of the health department's office of drinking water will present the award on May 10, during the PUD commission meeting.



Copyright 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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