The nightmare began for the city, a suburb of Memphis, after residents began reporting a strong odor to their tap water on July 20. An investigation revealed that a generator being used to power the Southern Avenue water treatment facility -- due to a power outage -- was leaking diesel fuel into an underground reservoir.
Residents have been told to only use tap water for toilet flushing. The city also said that boiling water does not make it safe for use. The water was treated last Friday and the reservoirs were refilled by midday. The city then pumped water into the elevated tower to address any residue remaining in the system and samples were sent out for testing, according to the city.
Aside from the leak, additional contamination was found deeper in the soil immediately surrounding a pipe that was carrying clean water from the treatment plant into the underground reservoir, Public Works Director Bo Mills said in a recorded message to city residents on Tuesday. Customers whose tap water restrictions have been lifted are instructed to flush out their interior service lines to remove water that was standing in interior pipes.
Any dishes or clothing washed while the restriction was in place should be rewashed. To flush water heaters, residents should fill a bathtub and drain it twice, according to the city.
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