Nibley City water ban remains in effect until Friday

Officials in Nibley have flushed the city’s water system but are still ordering residents not to use it until test results show it is safe. The water ban was ordered Wednesday after the system was found contaminated with diesel fuel, possibly from an earlier spill.

City Manager David Zook said officials completed flushing the system early Thursday morning and have sent water samples to a Salt Lake lab for testing. They will not know if the water is clean until late Friday afternoon.

“So we are asking residents to please not use water until we have a confirmation of clean test results,” said Zook. “The lab is also telling us is that even after the lab tests show the water is safe to drink the odor and taste may still be detectable for some time.”

The contamination was discovered Wednesday after a resident reported an odor coming from their water. City officials at the same time were alerted about a fuel spill last weekend that may have been the cause.

Zook said they are still investigating a tractor accident that could have leaked fuel after tipping over near the city’s spring.

“We believe the maximum amount possible would be less than a hundred-gallons that leaked,” said Zook. “We think that it was in the tens-of-gallons that leaked. We think that it was only a small percentage of that, that made it to our water system.”

Zook said residents should not use the water at all except for flushing toilets. Boiling it will also not remove the contamination.

Cache County School Superintendent Steve Norton said both Nibley and Heritage elementary schools will remain closed Friday for a second day, because of the contaminated water.

Zook said he appreciates the efforts of neighboring communities and businesses who have helped set up water stations for residents.

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