Drinking water in East TN town may be contaminated with fuel; multiple schools closed Friday

What This Story Is About

• The Caryville Jacksboro Utilities Commission issued a Water Contact Advisory on Thursday, saying its drinking water may have been contaminated.

Why It Matters

• The utility says residents should not use the tap water for drinking, cooking or body contact until further notice.

What Happens Next

• The system is being flushed to eliminate the contaminated water as the utility awaits sampling results to ensure the water is within required limits.

CARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) — The Caryville Jacksboro Utilities Commission issued a notice on Thursday that its drinking water may be contaminated. This is also prompting several schools to close on Friday.

According to the notice, the tap water supplied by the utility’s Cave Springs water treatment plant may have been contaminated by construction at a gas station near the water source.

“We are advising residents to NOT USE THE TAP WATER FOR DRINKING, COOKING, OR BODY CONTACT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE,” the utility’s notice reads.

The utility said it is flushing the system to eliminate the potentially contaminated water. Additionally, the plant remains operational and is producing water within drinking water limits, which is being used to flush the system.

The notice also said anyone who notices a gasoline smell in the water to call the office at 423-562-9776 to help determine locations in the system where the smell is observed.

“We will inform you when tests show that the water is safe again or the [affected] area is able to be reduced,” according to the notice.

Campbell County Schools released a statement on the water situation, saying Caryville Elementary, Jacksboro Elementary and Jacksboro Middle were notified of the non-consumption order and made bottled water and hand sanitizer available to students.

Additionally, LaFollette Utilities said the contamination is not affecting its water system or customers.

Campbell County Public Schools also announced that due to the possible water contamination, Caryville Elementary School, Jacksboro Elementary School and Jacksboro Middle School will be closed on Friday.

This is a developing story.