Update: On Feb. 6, Speedway officials announced that the water boil advisory was lifted.
Original reporting: So far, samples of water in Speedway are up to state drinking standards, according to town officials in an update on its boil water advisory. But, there’s more testing to be done.
Because of multiple water main breaks, discovered the night of Feb. 1, an advisory was issued. In a release on its website, officials said they have responded to the breaks that happened across the town. Speedway, which has its own crews separate from Citizens Energy Group, has been on-site making repairs and monitoring water pressure.
Speedway residents can still get free bottled water at the Speedway Municipal Center.
The boil water advisory is expected to remain in effect for the town until at least Friday afternoon.
Boil water advisory in effect for Speedway
Speedway Water Superintendent, Ronnie Smith, spoke with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management at the start of the week and was told Tuesday, Feb. 3, marked the earliest opportunity to collect bacteriological water samples after allowing adequate time for the system to stabilize after repairs.
The first sample was collected the next day on Feb. 4, and a second sample came 24 hours later. That’s how they are able to check to make sure the town is meeting state drinking water standards.
In an updated release on Feb. 5, Speedway officials said “the samples met state drinking water standards, showing no presence of bacteria or other harmful contaminants.”
“In accordance with state protocol, a second round of water samples was collected and submitted today. Those results are expected to be available tomorrow and will help determine the next steps regarding the Boil Water Advisory,” the release said.
The Town of Speedway also wanted to clarify to residents that the break wasn’t because of negligence, the water wasn’t necessarily unsafe, and that crews were doing everything they could to fix it.
“Extended extreme cold temperatures combined with recent snowfall have caused the ground to freeze solid, similar to concrete,” the release explained. “Water mains under pressure can shift against this frozen ground, resulting in breaks. There is no reliable way to predict when or where a main will fail, and pipe age is not always a determining factor.”
The release said the advisory is a precaution. Residents are advised to boil tap water before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing food until the advisory is lifted.
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Speedway’s boil water advisory lifted; water samples meet state standards
Reporting by Jade Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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