August 11, 2009

Fair rebounds from nasty Friday surprise
Guard, others will supply water

By Rodger Nichols
of The Chronicle

     It could have been a bad situation, but what started as a nasty surprise has become a demonstration of government and business cooperation.
     Friday, a test of the well that serves the Wasco County Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley revealed that the water supply was contaminated with fecal coliform and E.Coli bacteria and couldn’t be used for drinking or a number of other things.
     The North Central Public Health District (formerly Wasco Sherman County Health) has issued a warning about the water from the fair’s well — that it must be boiled for a full minute and allowed to cool before it can be safely drunk.
     But after some scrambling Monday, a solution is at hand.
     “The National Guard has come through and will be out there with their water buffalo,” said Tyler Stone, who acts as liason between Wasco County and the Fair Board. The “water buffalo” is a truck-mounted tank that holds 400 gallons, according to the local National Guard.
     “We also have a couple of other people with potable water tanks who are bringing those in,” Stone added. “The City of Maupin, John Magill’s Mountain View Trucking and the Barlow Water District are all helping out. We’re going to have plenty of potable water for everybody.”
     Those sentiments were echoed by Fair Board member Ken Polehn.
     “The Wasco County Fair and Rodeo is alive and well, despite having a boil water order ploaced on its water supply,” he said in a release Monday. “This restriction will not generally affect the way fairgoers experience the fair.”
     Originally, water to the showers was turned off for the duration, but late Monday, the health department issued an updated release on the subject.
     “Water supply to showers had been turned off until today; however, after further consultation with the State Drinking Water Program, it is determined that showering and tub bathing at the Fairgrounds does not require boiled water. Campers are still strongly cautioned against getting the water in their mouth or nose while showering.”
     The release also said the water at the Fairgrounds is safe for washing dishes, provided that dishes are rinsed in a solution of 1 tablespoon of household bleach per gallon of water and allowed to air dry before use.
     “Potentially harmful bacteria include Fecal coliforms and E. coli which are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes and can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms,” the release continued. “They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems.”
     That health department said this risk makes it imperative to boil any water from fairground sources for a full minute and let it cool before drinking or use bottled water.
     “Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice,” the health department said. “Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.”
     And while safe drinking water is being provided, fairgoers were strongly encouraged to bring their own safe drinking water due to the limited supplies of clean water available.
     The health department noted that the water at the Fairgrounds “is safe for bathing and watering livestock.”
     For more information, ontact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2603 or Wasco County Fairgrounds Manager at (541) 483-2288. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1(800) 426-4791 or the Oregon Department of Human Services, Drinking Water Program, at (971) 673-0405.