Hello Kachess Community Members,
As you previously communicated from our Water System Manager, coliform bacteria were detected in the water
supply test submitted to the Department of Health (DOH) on 4/02/2009. This is a monthly test protocol
we follow and submit to DOH for testing.
While we have not determined the source of the bacteria or the entry point into our water system, we do know
that our chlorine levels have been running lower than target levels over the last 10 days. A contributing
factor has been our new pump was not adding enough chlorine to the water. The pump and sensor that measures
our chlorine residuals were replaced on Wednesday 4/1 prior to learning the DOH test results, and the same
day the sample was taken.
The communications process we followed on Thursday 4/2 to notify the Community follows the DOH and our Internal
Requirements. This process includes the distribution of the DOH Standard Form stating that “Fecal coliforms and
E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.”
Like all finely crafted state documents, there is room for interpretation. Notice the word, “may”. The results
do not determine that human or animal wastes have infiltrated out system, but, we can’t rule it out. Coliform
contaminants’ can also be a result of organic matter decaying and entering our trench from the surface. We
believe had the chlorine levels been higher, the bacteria would not have survived and this condition might not
have occurred.
Per the State requirements, we posted a sign at the front of our community and in multiple locations around the
community, on Friday morning, 4/03 informing the community of the issue. In addition, we sent out a notice on
our Yahoo Groups e-mail system on 4/2 once we had the test results, which admittedly is not a 100% inclusive list.
It’s just the fastest form of communications. Later that evening, we also sent out an e-mail blast to the
community through our Association database. We sent letters to those who have not provided us with an e-mail
address.
Per the Department of Health recommendations, and with their permission, we “shocked” our water system with a large
amount of chlorine on Saturday 4/4. We pushed 25,000 gallons of water through the system in the past 24 hours.
This is approximately 25% of our storage capacity. Combined with usage from Friday, we have probably replaced
almost 50% of the water as of now. The new water entering the system is receiving the required chlorine dosages
due to the pump replacement and dosing adjustments.
If you haven’t done so already, please flush all of the lines in your house by turning on all faucets until you smell
chlorine in the water. This should not take more than about 5 minutes to flush your lines. Practically speaking,
this process should be used anytime you come to your cabin after it being vacant for more than a few days to reduce
standing or stagnant water in your lines.
We recommend that you drink bottled water or boil your water before drinking until you hear back from us. With the
increased levels of chlorine in the water due to the shocking, use caution when showering if you have allergies to
higher levels of chlorine. Chlorine is always present in our water as that is how we treat it for contaminants, but
the shocking increases the levels temporarily.
We will be submitting a new test per DOH instructions on Tuesday 4/7. As soon as we receive the test results, we will
inform the community and keep you informed in the chlorine levels.
Please rest assured that we take these matters very seriously and are doing the best we can to communicate in a timey
fashion and follow the DOH process for the safety of all of us.
Thanks for your patience.
Tom Carmody
/ Scott Walker
Kachess Board President
Water Committee
president@kachess.com
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