Soap Lake water once again safe to drink

SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake residents can stop boiling their water, as test results have determined the city’s water is safe to drink and water no longer needs to be boiled.

“The City of Soap Lake says water samples have been collected and tested. The test results were satisfactory and it is no longer necessary to boil the water. The Boil Water Advisory is now canceled,” stated the Grant County Sheriff’s Office in a release on Thursday.

The water main broke on Saturday at the Third Avenue Northeast/Fern Street North intersection. All residents hooked up to the city’s water utility were advised to boil their water until further notice from the city. Residents were encouraged to purchase bottled water or boil their own water for drinking, brushing teeth, dishwashing, preparing food and making ice.

The Department of Health was notified about the break and the city’s entire water system was chlorinated and flushed out on Tuesday. Residents were encouraged to run water to flush their own lines. Mayor Raymond Gravelle previously stated water samples were hand carried to the Wenatchee testing lab on Wednesday, with results typically taking 24 hours to get back on an emergency basis.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.