For immediate release: November 19, 2009 (09-183)

OLYMPIA - The state Department of Health is advising customers of the Vader and Enchanted Valley Water Systems in Lewis County to boil their drinking water until further notice.

The City of Vader’s water treatment plant is not working properly, and the system has had several water line breaks. Both situations could allow bacteria and other contaminants to enter the water system. The problems don’t appear to be weather-related.

The advisory affects about 350 homes and businesses in Vader and Enchanted Valley. The Lewis County Health Department has ordered food service operations to shut down and has alerted day-care centers to the situation.

State Health officials advise customers to use boiled or purchased bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, dishwashing, preparing food, and making ice. Tap water should be boiled for one minute and allowed to cool before use.

“This is an all-too-familiar situation for Vader,” said Clark Halvorson, manager of southwest regional operations for the agency’s Office of Drinking Water. “The community’s aging water lines break frequently, and there are so many leaks they lose about 40 percent of their water.”

The boil-water advisory is likely to last a while. One of the city’s two public works employees is on extended leave, so only one person remains to run the water system and to handle repairs. The Department of Health is helping the city, but will require that the advisory remain in effect until the agency is satisfied that the water meets safe drinking water standards.

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