Sandy Water Has Elevated Lead, Copper Levels

SANDY, Utah – An agency spokesperson tweeted Friday alerting media and citizens of elevated lead and copper levels in Sandy City drinking water.

Donna Spangler with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality warned residents to be “on alert.”

BREAKING: High levels of lead and fluoride are present in Sandy City municipal drinking water in the aftermath of last week's storm. Efforts are being taken to mitigate the situation. For media contact @deqdonna.

— Utah DEQ (@UtahDEQ) February 16, 2019

These elevated fluoride, copper and lead levels were present Friday when tested in the aftermath of last week’s storm, Spangler said.

She said mitigation efforts are underway.

The Utah DEQ estimated about 450 residents have been impacted. They said to call poison control at (800)222-1222 if you are worried about exposure or are experiencing any related symptoms.

Attention @sandycityutah residents. Higher levels of copper and lead were detected in the drinking water for some areas. The city recommends flushing your cold and hot water for 30 minutes each. They will reimburse the cost. We’ll have a story on @KSL5TV at 10. Here is the info; pic.twitter.com/yLWRDgG5TX

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 16, 2019

Tom Ward, director of Sandy City Public Utilities said the water in Sandy is safe to drink as long as residents flush wall water taps in their homes first. To do this, he said, run cold water for 30 minutes followed by hot water for another 30.

The cost of flushing the taps comes out to about six dollars for each home, according to Ward. He said the city will be refunding those affected.

Ward told KSL citizens between 700 East and 2000 East and 10600 South to 11400 South should flush their taps.

Sandy City has put out a release detailing their response and what residents need to know:

Last week, due to a storm and resultant power outage, a fluoride pump malfunctioned at one of Sandy City’s wells near the intersection of 1700 East and Dimple Dell Lane. Higher levels of fluoride entered the water system impacting approximately 50 homes. Once the city’s Public Utilities Department discovered the failed equipment on Thursday, February 7 at 2pm, they immediately closed valves to isolate the area (approximately 11026 South to 11125 South and 1850 East to 1950 East). Crews flushed the drinking water line, notified the State of Utah and the Health Department, and went door-to-door to notify and instruct customers to flush their water systems.

By that afternoon, approximately 4pm, the city’s water systems were back to normal fluoride levels. Since last week, the city has been monitoring the situation and discovered other homes outside the initial designated affected area may have also been impacted. Additionally, lab test results from last Thursday’s sample came back today indicating high levels of copper and lead as well. State law requires immediate notification regarding the elevated levels of lead and copper in drinking water.  In an abundance of caution, Sandy City is asking citizens to flush their water system, if they haven’t done so already. A full flush includes running all hot water taps for 30 minutes, followed by 30 minutes of running all cold water taps.

Sandy City continues to coordinate with the county and state health departments and the State of Utah’s Department of Drinking Water to take all necessary precautions and public communication. Sandy is confident your water is safe to drink if you have flushed your system according to the guidelines provided above.  Please know our primary concern is the health and well-being of our citizens.

Watch for possible symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  If you or someone in your household is experiencing symptoms, see your health care provider or contact Utah Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

If you have further concerns, contact Public Utilities (801-799-3000). We will come to your home to test your water.

For more info: sandy.utah.gov/departments/public-utilities

Information about the issue of lead in drinking water can be found here.