Sweet Home Drinking Water Quality Information: The city awaiting results for tested water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Information Contact:
Ray Towry, City Manager
City of Sweet Home
541-367-8969
rtowry@ci.sweet-home.or.us

Sweet Home Drinking Water Quality Information
The city is awaiting results for tested water 

SWEET HOME, OR – June 29, 2018 - In response to the Cyanotoxins found in the City of Salem’s drinking water caused by algae blooms in Detroit Lake the cities that collect water from the South Santiam River running out of Foster Lake and Green Peter Reservoir formed a coalition to develop a plan to identify and cope with the potential issue should algae blooms be found in the South Santiam River. Simultaneously the OHS started formulating a set of temporary administrative rules.

The City of Sweet Home draws water from Foster Lake through an intake structure located on the Foster Lake Dam about 35 feet below the water surface level. Foster Lake is supplied by Green Peter Reservoir and the South Santiam River east of Foster Lake.

The City of Sweet Home has proactively sampled our finish water on June 15, 2018.  Finish water is the water after treatment but prior to entering the distribution system. These samples typically require 7-14 business days for results. Sweet Home will begin to collect periodic samples, testing for Cyanobacteria in our raw water starting Monday, June 25, 2018. The city will post results for all tests on our website.  We will notify the public immediately if Cyanotoxins are found in the samples.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is proposing a temporary rule requiring all water systems supplied by surface water to monitor for Cyanotoxins caused by algae blooms. Water providers will be required to monitor the raw water prior to it entering the treatment processes every two weeks from May 1, through October 31.

The City of Albany’s drinking water samples have already tested no Cyanotoxins present. Based on the facts that Albany’s samples from the South Santiam River did not indicate positive results and Sweet Home has a deeper draw point for raw water below the lake surface the City anticipates the Cyanotoxins will not be detected in our raw water or finish water.

The City will continue to sample the raw water to continue to provide quality water for the community.

Sweet Home’s water supply is regularly and frequently monitored according to OHA standards. We remain vigilant for any signs of contamination and will ensure that our customers receive prompt notification of any detected problems. Customers with questions may contact Sweet Home Public Works Department at (541) 367-6359.

The City of Sweet Home is collaborating with other municipalities, county officials and state entities to ensure healthy water.

Periodic updates will be posted on the Cities website: https://www.sweet-home.or.us/

If you would like to know more about harmful algae blooms and Cyanotoxins, visit the Oregon Health Authority website: http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HealthyEnvironments/DrinkingWater/Operation....

###

Sweet Home, Oregon, is nestled at the base of the Cascade Mountains right along Foster Lake. The community has nearly 10,000 people within its incorporated area and embraces an additional 6,000 or so people as “community members,” who reside just outside our city limits. With scenic vistas and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities at our doorstep, Sweet Home is Oregon...at its best!

Visit us at: www.ci.sweet-home.or.us!!