Final Update, Posted July 20 at 5:15 p.m.
On Sunday morning, July 20, a “Do Not Drink” tap water order was issued to all City of Port Angeles water utility customers. Water samples taken in the area have been tested by the Washington State Department of Health in coordination with the State Department of Ecology and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It has been verified that your tap water is safe to drink and use.
The “Do Not Drink” order followed a fuel tanker accident at Indian Creek on July 18. While outside of City limits, the Indian Creek Basin feeds into the Elwha River, the City’s main potable water source.
The City temporarily shut down the Elwha Water System Intake upon notification of the accident, and clean water was served to the community through existing reservoir capacity.
Early on Sunday morning, July 20, the reservoirs were depleted to critical levels. In order to maintain safe and consistent water pressure throughout the system, the City resumed water processing in order to produce additional supply.
The “Do Not Drink” order was issued on Sunday out of an abundance of caution for approximately nine hours. Multiple test results confirm the water is clean with no detection of fuel-related contaminates in the water supply.
The City’s reservoirs continue to be recharged. Voluntary water conservation is still encouraged to allow time for the reservoirs to be fully refilled.
“We are very grateful to our community for stepping up to conserve water over the weekend, and for the countless City staff, volunteers, community partners, and State and local government agencies who came together to ensure drinking water is available to residents when its needed,” says City Manager Nathan West.
Approximately 81 pallets of water were distributed to impacted customers on Sunday. City police, fire, parks and public works personnel hand-delivered water to Olympic Medical Center and other critical facilities in the community, as well residents unable to travel to the established distribution sites. City staff members also provided support to the water distribution sites.
Recognizing that it may take time for this message to be received broadly, the City will continue to distribute water through 6 p.m. on Sunday as previously planned.
Alerts were provided to customers via the Everbridge Emergency Alert System. To subscribe to receive Everbridge notifications in the future, please visit www.cityofpa.us/Everbridge.
For questions about your water service, please contact the Public Works & Utilities Department during regular business hours at (360) 417-4800 or publicworks@cityofpa.us.
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Update, Posted July 20 at 11:15 a.m.
The following Bottle Water Distribution Sites will remain open through 6 p.m. today (Sunday, July 20):
- Civic Field, 307 South Race Street
- Shane Park, 613 South G Street
City staff are currently replenishing both sites with additional pallets of water. We understand this is a frustrating time, and we appreciate your patience as our staff work to assist everyone as quickly and safely as possible.
Please also note, as of 11 a.m. there is significant traffic congestion at both locations.
To improve the distribution process and offer additional options for our residents, the City has partnered with Clallam County to identify additional potable water sources. Impacted City customers may bring food-grade containers (such as water jugs and water bottles) to the following locations for limited water-filling opportunities:
- Salt Creek Recreation Area, 3506 Camp Hayden Road, Port Angeles, WA 98363
- Dungeness Recreation Area, 554 Voice of America West Road, Sequim, WA 98382
Please share this information with your friends and neighbors who are impacted by the "Do Not Drink" water order in effect for City of Port Angeles water utility customers.
This order does not impact PUD customers.
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
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Original Post, July 20 at 8:00 a.m.
Effective 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, a Do Not Drink water order is in place for all City of Port Angeles water utility customers. This follows a fuel tanker accident that occurred in Indian Creek on July 18.
Water testing is currently underway as directed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). However, some DOH-required tests involve out-of-state review, which is taking longer than expected. At this time, the City’s water reservoirs have depleted to critical levels. To maintain safe and consistent water pressure throughout the system, the City must begin producing additional water before all test results are available.
What should I do?
- Do not drink your tap water – use only bottled water. Bottled water should be used for all drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice, and food preparation until further notice. This also applies to pets.
- Do not try to treat the water yourself. Potential contamination is chemical-related, not bacterial. Therefore boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe for consumption.
- Tap water is safe for some activities. Tap water is safe for bathing, showering, flushing toilets, and doing laundry. Please be careful not to ingest any water when showering.
This applies to all properties connected to the City’s water system, whether located inside or outside of City limits.
This alert is being issued out of an abundance of caution. It takes several hours for water at the processing facility to travel through the system and reach your tap.
Customers are being notified through Everbridge. To sign up to receive emergency alerts through Everbridge, please visit our website: www.cityofpa.us/Everbridge
Water Distribution Sites
To support the community during this time, the City will distribute potable water on Sunday, July 20. Free bottled water for drinking and cooking will be available at two locations in Port Angeles while supplies last:
- Civic Field, 307 South Race Street (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
- Shane Park, 613 South G Street (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Supplies will be limited based on household size.
Water deliveries are being prioritized for Olympic Medical Center and other critical facilities to ensure services are maintained.
Next Steps
Please do not call 9-1-1 to receive information. We will notify you once water testing is complete as directed by DOH and the issue has been fully resolved. Additional guidance may be provided, as mandated by the DOH.
We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation. For questions related to spill response in unincorporated Clallam County, please contact the WA State Department of Ecology.