Thirteen Homes Affected by Water Contamination near Mahogany Drive and 9220 North

CEDAR HILLS – On September 4, 2012, City officials and staff were notified of possible water
contamination in a line near Mahogany Drive and 9220 North. Residents in that area complained that the
culinary water was discolored and had a bad taste. A few residents stated that they may have become ill
from the drinking water. Public Works staff took water samples from six different parts of the City for
laboratory testing. The test results came back negative for E. Coli in all six areas, but tested positive for
total coliform in one water line near 9300 North and Canyon Road. The other five areas tested negative for
total coliform.

According to Washington State Department of Health, “Total coliform bacteria are commonly found in
the environment (e.g., soil or vegetation) and are generally harmless. If only total coliform bacteria are
detected in drinking water, the source is probably environmental. However, if environmental
contamination can enter the system, there may also be a way for pathogens to enter the system. Therefore,
it is important to find the source and resolve the problem.”

Cedar Hills Public Works staff isolated the contaminated area and shut off water lines that had been
feeding the area. There are 13 households that were connected to this line and all 13 were connected to a
separate culinary water line until the issue could be identified and resolved. City officials supplied bottled
water to those residents and have agreed to refund amounts paid for water that was contaminated.

“Any issue with our water system is a high priority,” stated Mayor Gary Gygi. “The health and safety of
our residents is of utmost importance to us and we will continue to work with those residents who were
affected by this issue.”

Last week Public Works staff discovered a cross-connection between the culinary line and an irrigation
line. The City joined forces with the Utah State Division of Drinking Water, the Utah County Health
Department, and Rural Water Association of Utah to create a plan for disinfecting the affected line. The
cross-connection was fixed, and on Saturday the line was flushed with a chlorine solution, which aims at
eliminating any contaminants in the line. Additionally, the water lines for each residence were flushed
with the chlorine solution. Fresh water was then used to clear out the chlorine and tests showed that the
culinary water was at safe levels. Daily testing will occur on this line through Friday and will then return
to a regular testing schedule.

“We appreciate the assistance that we’ve had from State and County officials,” said city manager David
Bunker. “These agencies were very complimentary on how quickly our Public Works staff was able to
identify and resolve the situation.”
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Media inquiries can be sent to Jenney Rees at jrees@cedarhills.org