Atmospheric river events with above-average rainfall and high winds in early January caused localized flooding, downed trees, and power outages throughout Nevada County. Due to these storms, the Town of Washington’s drinking water supply system was severely impacted by flooding, prompting a boil water notice to 120 Town of Washington residents on January 1st.
Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), Nevada County Environmental Health, and Nevada Irrigation District (NID) partnered to support Washington Water District and the impacted residents.
Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services sent out a CodeRED Emergency Alert to notify residents of the boil water notice and coordinated the delivery of pallets of water for impacted residents throughout the event.
The County’s Environmental Health Department contacted the Nevada Irrigation District (NID), which immediately supported the Town of Washington’s Water System staff to begin repairs.
NID’s main goal was to clean the storage tank and return it to service. This multi-stage effort included:
- Regulating the distribution system valving to isolate and drain the compromised water in the storage tank
- Utilization of air monitoring and extraction equipment that allowed for the safe entry of the storage tank (classified as a confined space)
- Maintenance crews brought in a potable water tanker, two pressure washers, and squeegees to clean the debris inside the tank
- Treatment crews brought in a portable water tank and sprayer to disinfect the inside of the tank once clearing was complete
- The tank was filled to normal operational levels, and bacteriological samples were collected to ensure the water was free from E. Coli and Coliform Bacteria
Overall, NID utilized six maintenance staff members and three water operations staff members to clean and disinfect the Town’s water tank, then repair and set the altitude valve that regulates high water levels.
Following the three weeks needed to make the necessary repairs and two rounds of independent laboratory testing, Environmental Health lifted the boil water advisory notice for the Washington Water District in the Town of Washington last week.
Thank you to NID’s Jennifer Hanson, Chip Close, Cameron Price, and NID’s staff for collaborating with the Town of Washington and the County.
