The City of Raymond is currently under a "boil water" advisory. The water is said to possibly contain microorganisms or other contaminates due to a malfunction of the pump at the water purification plant. No other city is currently under the advisory.
"The water in South Bend is fine," noted South Bend City Hall.
Recent floods have caused turbidity, or cloudiness in the water in the pump. Turbidity is a measure of water clarity how much the material suspended in water decreases the passage of light through the water. Suspended materials include soil particles (clay, silt, and sand), algae, plankton, microbes, and other substances.
The turbidity rendered the plant unable to properly chlorinate the water, which chlorine is the key agent in the purification process that deactivates microorganisms.
The City of Raymond's Department of Public Works is currently undergoing the process to collect water samples to send to the Pacific County Department of Health.
Under the direction of Washington State Department of Health, the city was advised to drain water tanks prior to taking water samples to send forward for testing.
"We are currently attempting to drain our water reserves, but have run into a small issues losing water pressure as we drain the tank and continue to have water available for residents f the city," said Public Works Director M. Dean Parsons.
The city water system provides drinkable water for an estimated 3,000 people in Raymond.
"It use to be that testing would take anywhere from three to five days under older testing systems," Parsons said. "Today we can get answers in a 24-hour period...as soon as we can get the samples."
Samples will be sent to the Pacific County Department of Community Development and will be turned around as quickly as possible to determine next steps.
Residents should boil tap water they'll use for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food, making ice, and washing dishes. Water should be heated to a brisk boil (150 degrees) for one minute and then allowed to cool before use. Customers with questions about their water quality can call the City of Raymond at 942-4100 and check the city's website.
Restaurants and schools were contacted by Pacific County Department of Community Development to advise them of the small issue and the precautions that they would need to take.
"We have plenty of good people advising us on this issues," Parsons said. "We are looking to get things corrected as soon as possible."