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13. Council Information - Boil OrderMEMORANDUM DATE: July 16, 1998 TO: Glen Neier, City Attomey/Interim City Mana er FROM: Jim Hansz, Director of Public Works SUBJECT: State imposed boil water order. Please share the following summary report on this episode with the Mayor and City Council. June 16`h: The City made six routine water tests of the drinking water. Results of those tests were telephoned to this office on the afternoon of the 19'. One test, 278 Fifth Ave. WN, showed positive for coliform bacteria, three colonies, i.e. three coliform organisms, were identified in the sample. Although ME Labs indicated the results were phoned into this office on the 19'h the test results were not immediately relayed to the field personnel. This phone message apparently was not taken by our usual personnel, exactly who took the message is unknown. (The notification procedure and personnel involved have been revised to prevent this delay in the future.) June 24`h: Another series of six routine samples was taken on the 24'h of June. June 25`h: Mailed results from tests on the 16'h were received and a follow up sample was immediately ordered for the positive sample. This involved the original sample site and a site on each side of the original, a total of three follow up samples. June 29`h: ME Lab notified the City by telephone that one of the June 19' follow up samples, not the original location, tested positive with two coliforms. This was later classified as fecal coliform. This sample was at the Payless Shoe store at 254 Fifth Ave. WN. (The original sample site tested good from this series and in all tests since) One of the June 24`h routine samples, at 322 Second Avenue West, tested positive for coliform, one organism, which was later classified as fecal coliform. State DEQ called this office to advise they would issue a boil order on the 30`h of June. State DEQ further advised the City to await the order because of specific publication, media notification and text requirements which they would explain in detail on the 30'h. The problem was apparently isolated to the lower pressure zone of the City but since the boundary was not easily described the entire City would be included in the notice. June 30'h: On the basis of the test results the State DEQ issued the boil order. More than one positive sample in a month and one that involves fecal coliform requires this action. At 11:09 Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758 AM the State boil order was received. At 1:00 PM the State met with the City and County Health staff to review the proper course of action. At approximately 2:30 PM the boil order was issued to the media by City staff. (Before this official notice was issued some media outlets began broadcasting the boil order. We do not know the source of this advance notice. All efforts to determine the source have been unsuccessful.) The following actions were set into motion to correct the problem and lift the boil order: • Additional testing of wells, reservoirs, distribution mains, and sites where positive results were recorded to determine the possible source/location of the contamination. • Draining of reservoir number 1 to eliminate potentially contaminated water (Reservoir number has been identified as having a small hole in the roof which although repaired, could possibly have been a source of contamination) • Locating and securing use of temporary chlorination equipment and chemicals. • Inspection of wells, reservoirs and locations of positive results to identify any problem areas. • Monitoring our sampling procedures to confirm the procedure is correct. • Internal inspection of reservoirs (previously scheduled) to ascertain condition and cleaning requirements. (excellent, no cleaning needed) • Public notification IAW the requirements of State DEQ and USEPA. • Coordination of efforts with State DEQ, County Health and City. • Implementation of distribution system chlorination and testing. Monitoring of our testing procedure and examination of the wells indicated no problems. Examination of reservoirs, specifically the roofing, indicates that repairs are needed to ensure no potential for contamination. The reservoirs are generally secure but the roofs are deteriorated and need to be re -roofed to prevent rain/snow melt leaks into the reservoir. July 1": City crews retrieved chlorination equipment loaned by the City of Whitefish. State DEQ located chlorination equipment available for loan from Mountain Water in Missoula and personnel from Land and Water Consulting collected the equipment on the 30"' and delivered it at 8:00 AM. Included in the shipment was loaner equipment and testing instruments shipped from State DEQ in Helena. All equipment was inventoried and appropriate installations were decided upon. A source of Sodium Hypochlorite in 55 gallon poly drums was located in Missoula. City crews traveled to Missoula to collect the Sodium Hypochlorite solution. Armory well was fitted with chlorination equipment at noon and on line at about 1:00 PM. Depot and Buffalo Hill wells were fitted with equipment by about 5:00 PM. All wells in the low pressure zone were chlorinating the system at a dose rate of approximately 3.5 ppm. City crews immediately began flushing the system and continued until 10:00 PM. Reservoir #1 was completely emptied and refilling with chlorinated water was begun. Test results from samples on the 30' showed all clear except for reservoir #l. This was "fecal absent" and therefore not the source of the fecal contamination but still required disinfecting as precaution. Note: we performed a quality check of the testing by sending duplicate samples to our regular testing lab, the State lab in Helena, and by performing a third test at our own lab at the Wastewater Plant. All results were the same which ruled out a possible testing error in the original sampling series. The City began internal testing of samples at our Wastewater Lab to assist in trouble shooting the possible location. We received several repeat positive samples at the Payless Store and worked with the store to correct this problem by isolating a defective water heater from the building system and installing a new meter. After this was done and the service line was thoroughly flushed all samples returned clear. From this point forward all samples of our system showed clear results. We have no conclusive evidence that this was the source of the contamination problem. July 2": System chlorination and line flushing continued and inspection of the areas around the positive sample locations continued. No evidence was located to positively determine the source of the contamination. Crews looked for potential cross -connections and anything else that might have been a cause of the problem, without success. July 3": System flushing continued, crews operated chlorination equipment manually and dosage rates were continuously checked through the distribution system. A series of 15 samples were collected from all the normal monthly sample points and the supply wells. State DEQ indicated that satisfactory results would permit lifting the boil order on the 4`h. July 4`h: City crews continued flushing and manually operating the chlorination systems. The street superintendent traveled to Missoula to pick up more Sodium Hypochlorite. Test results reported at 3:00 PM showed all samples clear and the system to be clean. Following discussions with State DEQ in Helena the boil order was lifted at 4:00 PM and all media were immediately notified. Lifting the order is contingent on the City maintaining a permanent chlorine residual throughout the distribution system. July 5th: City crews continued manual operation of equipment and line flushing. July 6`h: Well sites were modified to permit automatic operation of chlorination equipment which greatly relieved the burden on the City crews. Week of July 6th to date: Operation continues and regulation of chlorine dosage continued to bring the dosage rate and system residual down to a preferred rate of approximately 0.5 ppm. We are making preparations for permanent chlorination installations at each well site. We are also soliciting cost estimates for replacement of the roofing at the two underground storage reservoirs. KALISPELL POLICE DEPARTMENT Box 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903 Phone (406) 758-7780 MEMO July 29, 1998 TO : Glen Neier, Interim City Manager FROM: Frank Garner, Interim Chief of Police SUBJ : Emergency Boil Order Press Release Dear Glen, ADDISON H. CLARK Chief of Police DONALD A. HOSSACK Asst. Chief As you may know, our department is listed as the after hours emergency contact number for the water department. On 07-03-98, the first evening following the `Boil Order", we received many calls requesting information about the possibility of ecoli bacteria in the city water supply. Joe Russell, Environmental Health Director for Flathead County, was consulted by our dispatcher Amy Gilmore to clarify some of the routine questions we were receiving., Joe Russell assisted our dispatch in the construction of a press release to help calm some of the fears callers were having concerning the possibility of ecoli contamination. Our dispatch was unable to contact Public Works Director Jim Hansz by phone to confirm the release. Our dispatcher called my home and informed me of the matter and I authorized the release of the attached news release. The release was sent to local news agencies at their request. Some agencies received the release without the attached cover letter, designating authorship. That was our error. I hope this clarifies the confusion over this matter. e FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE PLEASE INCLUDE IN FUTURE NEWS BROADCASTS UNTIL ORDER IS LIFTED THE BACTERIA FOUND IN THE CITY WATER TESTS IS NOT ECOLI ROUTINE TEST SAMPLES FROM TWO LOCATIONS EXCEEDED THE PERMITTED LIMT FOR THE FOR THE PRESCENCE OF COLIFORM BACTERIA. RE -TESTING SHOWED A REPEAT POSITIVE RESULT FOR ONE SAMPLE LOCATION. ACCORDING TO JOE RUSSELL, ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIRECTOR FOR FLATHEAD COUNTY, THE "BOIL WATER" ORDER ISSUED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IS IN EFFECT FOR RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL ONLY. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE EVERGREEN, WHITEFISH, COLUMBIA FALLS OR PROPERTY OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS. PERSONS WITH CITY WATER SHOULD BOIL WATER THAT IS TO BE USED FOR DRINKING OR BRUSHING THEIR TEETH. THE WATER SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO A RAPID BOIL IT IS ONLY NECESSARY TO BRING THE WATER TO A RAPID BOIL. IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE BOILED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME AFTER THAT. IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO BATHE OR SHOWER. WHEN WASHING DISHES, ADDING %2 CAP OF BLEACH TO THE RINSE WATER WILL KILL ANY BACTERIA THAT IS IN THE WATER THE "BOIL WATER" ORDER IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WHEN THE ORDER IS LIFTED, ALL LOCAL NEWS MEDIA WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE TUNE IN TO THE LOCAL MEDIA FOR UPDATED INFORMATION. OTHER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT 758-5750. PLEASE DO NOT CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MATTER. THANK YOU C-097-98 MEMORANDUM June 2,1998 To: Glen Neier, City Attorney / Interim City Manager From: Jim Hansz, Director of Public W rk Subject: Noffsinger Spring Attached is correspondence from the MDEQ regarding the use of Noffsinger Spring. The spring has been monitored by the City and DEQ for several years to determine whether it is under the influence of the nearby Stillwater River. Their conclusion is that the spring is a groundwater source under the influence of surface water. This is not good. The eventual options we may face are the replacement of the spring as a water source or construction of a filter plant at the spring in order to continue using it as a water supply. This latter option would be similar to the situation in Whitefish. Either choice could be fairly costly to the City. Several regulations accompanied the DEQ letter that attempt to inform us of the rules, etc., we must plan to follow. Unfortunately, the meaning of these regulations is not as clear as the water supply the DEQ condemns. However, as a first step, we need to develop a watershed management plan and monitoring program for the spring. This is not a trivial task and is one I believe we may need expert help to accomplish because successful watershed management and water quality monitoring might allow us to continue our use of the spring without a filter plant. I have asked for detailed clarification of this from DEQ. The general implications to the City are fairly clear and straight forward: something must be done to manage the watershed and monitor the water quality, and we need to prepare ourselves for the possibility that we may need to either replace this water source or plan for the construction of a filter plant. At this point there is no need for haste. We do not use the spring at this time of year, and with the new wells on Grandview we have ample supply so the spring can serve as a backup. However, while we have an adequate water supply the loss of Noffsinger Spring would seriously impact our long term supply picture. There are some time limits specified in the regulations and I have started the ball rolling with DEQ to get us better informed. I passed this on to Clarence but it appears he did not have the chance to share it with the City Council. This should be done. Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 Telephone (406) 758-7700 - FAX (406) 758-7758 DEPAR. _✓LENT OF ENVIRONMEN _AL QUALITY 1520 E. SVCM AVE. P.O. BOX 20mi EUMENA, MT 59620-00901 MA.RC R.ACICOT, GOVERNOR STATE OF MONTANA (406), 4W"549 FAX (406)444-1374 May 6, 1998 Mr. Ben Van Dyke City of Kalispell P.O. Box 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903-1997 Re: City of Kalispell Lawrence Park Spring Source Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water - Source classification PWSID #00259 Dear Ben: This letter is regarding the classification of the city's Lawrence Park Spring source in the Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDIS)M) program. The spring (source #003) has been determined to be under the direct influence of surface water. This classification is based on the information discussed below. Over the last 4 years the City of Kalispell has collected four samples for Microscopic Particulate Analysis WAs) from this source. The first two samples were collected in March 1993 and January 1994. These MPAs, which were collected before the spring runoff period, showed the spring water had a low risk for direct surface water influence per the EPA document, "Consensus Method for Determining Groundwaters Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water Using Microscopic Particulate Analysis (MPA)" (EPA, 1992). However, two MPA samples collected in May. and June 1997, during the spring runoff (the time of highest risk for surface water influence) showed the source at a high -moderate and high risk, respectively, for being directly influenced by surface water. The MPA scores were 19 and 23, respectively. SPEz'�Fir ��uc'7itq:� 7���5 Igo In addition, from January 13 1997 through A45, 1, 1 Qa2, the city collected weekly water quality samples (pH, temperaturehand turbidity) from the spring and adjacent stream to determine if a hydraulic connection exists between the stream and spring water. The temperature and turbidity parameters of this Water Quality Analysis (WQA) indicated that there is a similar trend in the temporal variations in the spring water as compared to water collected directly from the nearby stream. Although the turbidity levels were often over 10 times lower in the spring than in the stream, turbidity and temperature fluctuation trends in the surface water were mimicked in the spring water. 0897170.LTR IAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER" Based on the hydrogeologic setting of the spring near a surface water, the results of the two most recent MPA samples and the results of the WQA, the department has classified this source as groundwater under the direct influence of surface water. As a result, if the city plans to continue using the Lawrence Park Spring as a potable water source, the city of Kalispell must begin monitoring the source and begin planning for the possibility of installing a filtration system in accordance with Administrative Rules of Montana ((ARM 17.38.201 et seq.) and Department Circular PWS-3, There is a very real possibility that the city of Kalispell may be required to filter this water source. With this letter I have included copies of the Public Water and Sewage System Requirements (ARM 17.38.201 et seq.) and Department Circular PWS-3. Although all of the information in these documents should be read, the areas of particular interest at this point regarding sources classified as GWUDISW include ARM 17.38.208 and sections 2.0 and 3.0 of PWS-3. The regulations regarding monitoring and filtration can be quite complicated to understand. I suggest you read through the sections recommended above and then contact John Camden of this office at 444-4400 to discuss any questions you may have. If you have any questions regarding this GWUDISW classification, please do not hesitate to contact me at 444-3639. Sincerely, .1 Eric F. Re sburger Community Services Bureau 0897170.L7R DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PERMITTING & COMPLIANCE DIVISION Community Services Bureau Public Water Supply Section MARC RACICOT, GOVERNOR STATE OF MONTANA Phone: (406)444-4400 Fax:(406)444-1374 CERTIFIED MAIL July 23, 1998 MAYOR WILLIAM BOHARSKI CITY OF KALISPELL PO BOX 1997 Kalispell MT 59903 Metcalf Building 1520 E Sixth Ave PO -Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620-0901 RE: Required Improvements to the Lawrence Park Spring Source Water Supply. Dear Mayor Boharski: This letter provides notice that the Department of Environment Quality (DEQ) has determined that improvements must be made on the Lawrence Park Spring source water. Department correspondence dated May 6, 1998, classified the water from Lawrence Park Spring, source #003 serving the City of Kalispell as Groundwater Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water. The water supplied must meet the requirements as a regulated surface water source. By this letter, DEQ is requiring the City of Kalispell to bring the Lawrence Park Spring into compliance with the requirements of the Montana Public Water Supply Act within eighteen (18) months after receipt of this letter. Therefore, by February 1, 2000, the city of Kalispell is required to comply with one of the following three items: 1)provide filtration treatment to the Lawrence Park Spring source water and comply with the requirements for filtered systems as specified in the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM ) Title 17, Chapter 38, Subchapter 2; 2) meet the criteria to avoid filtration and comply with the requirements as specified in Department Circular PWS-3; 3) or permanently disconnect the Lawrence Park Spring supply. The city of Kalispell must submit within 30 days of receipt of this letter a "Compliance Schedule" as to the City's plan for the Lawrence Park Spring to the Public Water Supply Section (PWSS). Enclosed is a "Compliance Schedule" for submittal. After review of your submittal, the department will respond in writing within 30 days as to your proposed compliance schedule. I encourage the city to immediately begin procurement procedures for hiring an engineering consultant for the design and construction of the water system improvements. ARM 17.38.208(4)(d) states that, "If the department has determined that filtration is required for 'AN EOUA L OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER" MRM,- ii' a public water supply system, the system must comply with any interim disinfection requirements the department deems necessary prior to installation of filtration. Greg Butts from our Kalispell office will contact the city to arrange a site visit and make his recommendation for disinfection to assure public health and safety is protected. If you feel that there are any factual inaccuracies in this letter or if you have any questions, you should contact me or the Public Water Supply Section (PWSS) at your earliest convenience. The telephone number for the PWSS of the Community Services Bureau is (406) 444-4400 and I can be reached at (406) 444-4071. Thank you for your diligence and cooperation. Our thanks are also extended to Jim Hansz and the water department staff for their proactive response and corrective actions following the recent -boil water notice. Sincerely, John Camden Program Manager Field Services Program c: Glen Neier, Acting City Manager Jim C. Hansz, Kalispell PWD Ben Van Dyke, Kalispell Water Dept. Jon Dilliard, DEQ Jim Melstad, DEQ Terry Campbell, DEQ Rick Cottingham, DEQ John Arrigo, Enforcement DEQ Greg Butts, Kalispell Office DEQ Jay Sinnott, MT EPA County Sanitarian PWS File DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PERMITTING & COMPLIANCE DIVISION Community Services Bureau Public Water Supply Section MARC RACICOT, GOVERNOR - STATE OF MONTANA Phone: (406)444-4400 Fax: (406)444-1374 Metcalf Building 1520 E Sixth Ave PO Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620-0901 COMPLIANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF KALISPELL LAWRENCE PARK SPRING For each of the items listed below, provide projected dates of completion or knowledge completed task dates in the blanks provided. 1. Date by which the city will permanently disconnect the Lawrence Park Spring supply from the public water system: or 1. Date by which the city will hire a Professional Engineer: 2. Date by which the city will submit a design report including a discussion of alternative to DEQ for review and approval: 3. Date by which the city or Professional Engineer will recommend to DEQ the need for a pilot study if filtration treatment is the selected alternative: 4. Date by which the city will submit final plans and specifications: 5. Date by which the city will begin construction: 6. Date by which the city will complete construction and operate facility in compliance:_ Signature and Title Date AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"