For immediate release: November 7, 2007 (07-189)

Contacts:
Scott Torpie, Office of Drinking Water 509-456-3183
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072
Lee Mellish, Liberty Lake Sewer and Water 509-922-9016

Legacy Ridge residents urged to use bottled water
Apparent act of vandalism found at a Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District reservoir

OLYMPIA ¾ About 50 homes in the Legacy Ridge subdivision of Liberty Lake near Spokane are being urged to use bottled water after a hatch to the reservoir had been forcibly removed. The vandalism was discovered Tuesday afternoon during a routine inspection. Local law enforcement was notified immediately.

Only a small portion of the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District is served by the reservoir and covered by this advisory. Notice has been provided to the homes in the Legacy Ridge subdivision, near the intersection of E. Country Vista Drive and Legacy Ridge Road.

"We take any potential threat to a public water supply very seriously. We’re working with the water system and the local authorities as they investigate the incident." said Department of Health spokesman Scott Torpie, with the Office of Drinking Water. "The district has done an outstanding job responding to this event."

Currently, there is no known contamination of the water system. As a precaution, the district has flushed the reservoir and water mains serving the subdivision. When the reservoir has been refilled, disinfected, and flushed again, samples will be collected from throughout the Legacy Ridge development. Sampling is expected to be completed by Friday. Residents are encouraged to use bottled water until further notice.

Residents with questions or concerns should contact the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District at 509-922-5443.

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