Test results indicate safe I.F. drinking water following power outage

The following is a news release from the city of Idaho Falls.

IDAHO FALLS — Following Tuesday’s large-scale power outage, the City of Idaho Falls Water Division performed precautionary testing of the city’s water supply. The conclusive test results indicated safe and healthy potable water city-wide, and all systems have returned to normal operation.

“We would like to remind residents that should we experience another large-scale power outage, all nonessential water use should be turned off to help mitigate water pressure loss. This includes automated or hose-connected sprinkler and irrigation systems,” states Dave Richards, Water Superintendent for the City of Idaho Falls.

On July 19, 2016, the City of Idaho Falls experienced a city-wide power outage due to equipment failure at the Goshen Substation near Shelley, ID. The outage began at approximately 4:45 p.m. and lasted until approximately 7 p.m. During the outage, the automated emergency generators at select city well sites engaged to allow for a continuous supply of water.

Without power, water pressure at various locations declined to 1.5 psi below established thresholds. Records indicate this decline lasted for approximately one minute after the outage began. The on-site generators then reached full capacity and transferred power to the pumps. Following that initial minute, generators fully engaged and water pressure rebounded to acceptable levels for the remainder of the outage. The water system remained pressurized throughout the power outage.

City water personnel responded immediately to the power outage to ensure generated well sites functioned accordingly. In consultation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and as a precautionary measure, fifteen water samples were taken at the area of the system that experienced the lowest pressures. All initial samples indicated safe chlorine residuals remained within the system, meaning that water quality was maintained.

For questions or concerns, please call the city’s Water Division at (208) 612-8471.