Tumalo-area boil-water advisory lifted

A leak in the Laidlaw Water District’s main line prompted a boil-water advisory for parts of Tumalo and closed Tumalo Community School on Monday while the water was tested. The water district’s tests came back clean Tuesday morning, allow a return to normal for the school, which had reopened using bottled water.

The Laidlaw Water District said it was alerted to the leak on Tumalo Road on Saturday. The leak was immediately isolated, and the water tests came back all clear Tuesday morning, allowing the lifting of the boil-water advisory. Officials believe shifting ground from nearby irrigation caused the leak.

Late Monday, Redmond School District officials said classes would resume Tuesday in Tumalo, using bottled water provided by EartH20. Bathroom facilities were usable, but water faucets and drinking founds were turned off, they said, and there will be alternate hand-washing options.

In addition, a modified menu was going to be served for breakfast and lunch, using only wrapped or packaged meals and produce that doesn’t require washing. But things returned to normal by midday after the Laidlaw Water District’s test results were received

The water district said Monday it didn’t believe there was any contamination, but the boil-water order was given as a precaution.

“The chances of us having a bacterial infection is very slim,” said district Manager Dale Peer. “But we have a lot of people in the community with compromised immune systems – the elderly and infants. and those are all very susceptible to bacterial infections and such. So this is strictly a precautionary measure to boil water.”

Meanwhile, Bend-La Pine Schools officials said Tuesday they just received the results from 21 water samples collected last month at Amity Creek at Thompson School.

The tests were undertaken after all under-sink shut-off valves, drinking fountains and faucets were replaced in the school. Officials said the results of the third round of testing confirmed all lead levels were within EPA guidelines, so water service will be restored to the school on Wednesday, with resumed use of drinking fountains and food preparation sinks.

School district officials said this concludes their testing of water sources in its schools and work sites. A total of 560 water samples were tested for lead levels at all district-owned or leased facilities.