PUBLIC NOTICE
Important Information about Depressurization Events in the City of Dover Water System
On Thursday, May 27th some City of Dover water system customers, experienced a depressurization event observed when we opened and flushed fire hydrants due to High Chlorine. Because your health is important to us, we want to explain in greater detail the steps we have and will continue to take to protect our water supply during a depressurization event. We would also like to inform you of the measures you may choose to take to protect your health should another pressure loss event occur.
Even well designed and operated water systems such as ours may experience pressure loss (depressurization events) from time to time. When a significant pressure loss occurs there is a potential for back flow or cross connection contamination to occur in the water system’s distribution system, thus initiating an opportunity for contaminants to be drawn into the drinking water supply. We have done our best to limit this potential.
While we have established preventative measures to significantly diminish the potential for contamination, it is not possible for any public drinking water system to completely rule out the potential for contamination during a depressurization event. This potential for the introduction of microbial and chemical contaminants into the water system may pose a special health risk for people with weakened immune systems (immuno-compromised persons), children and the elderly. If such contamination were to occur it may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, headaches, or other symptoms.
If you are concerned about the potential for contamination due to a depressurization event, please consume bottled water if you notice a decrease in pressure at your tap. (Boiling your water may not be an effective method to ensure that you are protected from all potential contamination). Should a depressurization event occur, we will notify you as quickly as possible.
In the event of a depressurization event, our licensed water system operator, Bob Hansen (208-265-4270 or wsmibob@aol.com) will be notified. In order to protect against contamination, we will continue to monitor. We pulled two verification samples to test our water for coliform bacteria on Friday 5/28. The results indicate that no coliform bacteria contamination has occurred. If you have questions or concerns regarding our drinking water, please contact Bob Hansen at 208-265-4270.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
CITY OF DOVER PULIC DRINKING WATER SYSTEM PWS # ID1090193.
Date distributed: June 1, 2021
