12/20/2024
Water update 12-20-24 @ 1630 (4:30 pm)
You may now close your faucets.Thanks for your assistance in helping us to move water throughout our water system.
The storage tank is nearly depleted and we are now pumping water into the tank at normal chlorine levels. Water is also being sent through the distribution system at normal levels, and we expect the residual chlorine levels in town to stabilize at normal levels sometime Saturday.
When the levels stabilize, we will take samples from 10 locations and send them to the lab for testing. Ogden City has generously offered to conduct our testing, so that will expedite the process vs. trying to find a lab in Salt Lake that would accommodate us on a weekend.
Our boil order is still in force, and we hope to return to normal before Christmas.
As previously stated, all water tests to date have shown clean water with no bacteria, and the chlorine levels have remained under the safe threshold of 4ppm throughout the process.
Thanks again for your patience during these trying times.
Sincerely,
Richard L Sorensen
Mayor, Huntsville
12/20/2024
Water update 12-20-2024 @ 1100
We are continuing to flush the water distribution system and could still use your assistance by opening your COLD water faucets or outside faucets through at least this afternoon. We will send another update when you may stop running your faucets.
Once our residual chlorine levels return to normal levels, we will take water samples at locations throughout town and send the samples to the lab for testing.
All water tests to date, have shown clean water with no bacteria.
We are hoping to have the boil order removed before Christmas.
Thanks again for your patience, understanding, and assistance.
Sincerely,
Richard L Sorensen
Mayor, Huntsville Town
12/19/2024
The water lines are still being flushed. Please continue to run your water through the evening. We expect normal levels sometime tomorrow. We will provide an update in the morning. Thank you for your continued patience.
12/19/2024
Asking for some last minute volunteers at 6:30 pm tonight (Thursday) at the new town hall. A few residents have been grinding down the new concrete floors all day and it looks like maybe late into the night, unless they can get a few extra hands. With many hands the process will go quick. There are also a couple of heavy things needing be moved. Even if you don't have a lot of time, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and spread the word if you could!
12/19/2024
As mentioned in our previous alert, we are currently flushing our distribution lines with a higher concentration of chlorine. Our crews are opening fire hydrants throughout town to complete the process.
You could assist us and help to expedite the flushing process by opening your COLD water faucets to run water through the water lines. You could also run your outside faucet.
12/19/2024
Water with an increased level of chlorine will be sent through our distribution water lines starting today, December 19, 2024 at 1300 (1:00 pm), and will continue for several hours.
Our crews will be flushing the lines by opening several fire hydrants for brief periods throughout our system. The increased chlorine levels are used to clean out any potential contamination or bacteria that may have entered our lines due to the break in the waterline.
We will send another message when the flushing is complete and chlorine levels have returned to normal.
FAQ’s
Are the increased chlorine levels dangerous?
No, just a significantly higher dose than we are used to. We typically have 0.5 ppm (parts per million), but we will be increasing the level to 3.0 ppm.
Are we able to flush toilets, wash hands, wash clothes, and wash dishes while the chlorine levels are increased?
Yes, you may do all of the above, but use “sanitize” mode on the dishwasher. Those with sensitive skin may be affected slightly by the higher levels of chlorine, but our chlorine level will alway be lower than the maximum safe level of 4 ppm.
How long will the increased levels of chlorine last?
It is impossible to predict due to the different sizes of pipe on our system and other factors, but we hope no more than four or five hours.
How will we know that the chlorine levels have returned to normal?
We will send out an alert via our text and email lists. Be sure you are opting in for both. Visit HuntsvilleUtah.gov to sign up.
Will the increased chlorine levels affect our septic systems?
The chlorine levels should not be high enough or long enough in duration to negatively impact septic systems.
It seems like we are getting conflicting or confusing messages and instructions. Why?
Our process is evolving, and we are trying to abide by the DWQ standards and clean the lines as safely as possible while eliminating the boil order as soon as possible. There are many ways to “skin the cat,” so our process has been evolving. The message sent out yesterday wasn’t meant to alarm, but to give our users a heads up that a higher dose of chlorine would be introduced into the lines. As a precaution, don’t use the water any more than necessary during the increased level time period.
