Monday’s results ‘negative for any contamination’
By Randy Arrington
STANLEY, Aug. 21 — After receiving two consecutive sets of negative tests results for contaminates, residents of Stanley can now breathe easier when they turn on their faucets. An Aug. 8 advisory was issued by the state after three of five samples taken that week showed the presence of E.coli bacteria in Town water. A second set of subsequent test results were received late Monday afternoon showing that everything is “clear” now, with regard to Town water.
“The Office of Water Programs lifted the boil water notice [Monday] afternoon after the results of the second set samples were released today and they all came back today negative for any contamination just as the first set did,” reads a social media post by the Town of Stanley.
“We are now reviewing how samples are taken and what improvements we can make to improve so this does not cause an issue in the future,” the Town notice continues. “We also thank everyone for their patience and understanding with this issue. Our water is safe and continues to win awards for some of the best tasting water in Virginia.”
Although the boil water advisory was in place for less than two weeks, many members of the Stanley Council, and the Town Manager, said they continued to drink Town water during that time with no problems.
Town officials are required to test five water samples each month to ensure that the system is meeting the proper limits of containment for various contaminates. As a result of the positive tests earlier in August, Town Manager Terry Pettit said that state officials have recommended corrective action and changing some practices that could help the sampling process and ensure more accurate results:
- Don’t take all samples on the same day;
- Use a torch (heat) and a Clorox-mix solution to sterilize faucets where samples are being taken;
- Increase the flush time for lines from five minutes to eight minutes;
- Increase the number of locations (homes) where these tests are conducted from 15 to 30 and move them around.
“That will all correct the sampling error, if there was one,” Pettit said. “It’s very easy to contaminate the sample.”
Additionally, the Town will be taking quotes soon to get trees trimmed near water tanks — another suggestion by the state. Regulations state that trees or tree limbs cannot touch water tanks.
General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
For more information on the Town of Stanley,
visit https://www.townofstanley.com/
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