Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A positive test for total coliform bacteria in Farmington’s drinking water resulted in the disinfection of the system, followed by clean tests.
The cause of the September spike is unknown.
Farmington Water Operator Todd Lobdell ruled out common causes such as a service connection or disconnection, an excavation or a water main break.
“The drinking water during this episode never presented a public health threat,” said Carolyn Cox, Public Information Officer for the Washington state Division of Environmental Health, Office of Drinking Water. “Total coliform is harmless, but it should not be in the water. It indicates there is an opening in the system somewhere. If they had E. coli or fecal coliform, that’s much more serious.”
The Sept. 29 test that showed coliform led to the state requiring Lobdell to disinfect Farmington’s system, which meant a partial draining of the town’s reservoir – sending 35,000-37,000 gallons of water into Pine Creek – adding chlorine bleach and monitoring as it went through the system. The excess chlorine was then flushed.
Samples tested on Oct. 6 were normal.
The discovery of the coliform meant a Tier 2 violation of the Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974, requiring residents be informed within 30 days.
During the 48-hour disinfection process, the town’s water remained on, while residents were informed that the water would have a higher chlorine content.
Farmington is now back to the regular regiment of one test for coliform bacteria per month.
“A positive test does not mean there’s anything wrong with the water,” said Mayor James Woomack. “Nothing harmful was found in the water.”
A Farmington citizen, Julie Bussing, expressed concern to the city council Nov. 17 that not enough water testing was being done on Farmington’s two wells.
“I don’t agree with her because we aren’t using surface water,” said Woomack, referring to a lake or river which are more exposed to what’s in the air. “I can understand the concern, but I don’t have the same concerns.”
At the Nov. 17 council meeting, Lobdell informed Bussing and the council that the tests he administers are deemed by the state legislature. He indicated that Farmington’s water tests have always been within normal parameters except for a false positive for total coliform in January 2013 and the coliform positive this September.
“Todd is doing exactly what he needs to be doing,” Woomack said.
Coliform bacteria are found in the environment and feces of all warm-blooded animals and humans. Unlikely to cause illness, nonetheless the presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water shows that pathogens (disease-causing organisms) could be in the water system.
Most pathogens that contaminate water supplies come from feces of humans or animals (fecal coliform). E. Coli is a subgroup of fecal coliform. If total coliform is present in a lab test, the laboratory also tests the sample for fecal coliform or E. coli, depending on the lab testing method.
In September of 2013, a positive test for total coliform bacteria in Farmington’s drinking water resulted in the eventual replacement of the town’s chlorinators, one for each of the two wells.
Often an opening, leak or vulnerability in a system is not found because so much of water systems are underground.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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