Germantown, Tennessee's contaminated water to be dumped in Wolf River - Commercial Appeal

Germantown, Tennessee's contaminated water to be dumped in Wolf River

Diesel-contaminated water dumped into Wolf River after Germantown water crisis
Brooke Muckerman

Water that is being flushed out of Germantown customers' waterlines is being put into the Wolf River, according to Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo. During a press briefing at Germantown City Hall Monday afternoon, Palazzolo told members of the media that the diluted water goes back into the water system.

The diesel-contaminated water is "pumped away" into the stormwater conveyance system, which then goes into the Wolf River, according to Palazzolo. The water could contain small amounts of diesel, which, while diluted, still leads back to the water system down the river.

When asked if the diesel-contaminated water is an environmental hazard, he said that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation does not have a measurement of if it would cause concern.

"The way that diesel is analyzed, they (TDEC) don't have an amount that they look for as a determinate for environmental concerns," Palazzolo said.

Testing is still underway, and many Germantown residents will go another day without safe water. Water is determined "safe" when there are no traces of diesel in the testing samples, Palazzolo said.

"We've had a day where we'll send out 15 samples, and 14 will come back with no diesel," Palazzolo said. "But still if you have diesel detection we have to either retest that area or flush that area and begin anew."

The city is still unable to give an estimate on when all Germantown residents will be able to have safe water. Palazzolo said the city is taking it "one day at a time."

Palazzolo was also unable to answer if apartment complexes are required to inform residents if they are not to use the water. He said that the city has posted on its social media sites and broadcasted the water advisories to inform residents.

A review will be conducted after the system is back up and running on how the diesel was able to leak into the water system, Palazzolo said. After the review, they will be able to determine if there was human interference with diesel leaking into the system.

Water distribution centers will continue, Palazzolo said. He did not give out clear information on upcoming locations or times when those distributions will happen.

As of Monday afternoon, Germantown still urged residents to refrain from using water unless they live east of Forest Hill Irene Road and to sign up for the community alert system.

To opt in, visit Germantown-TN.gov/alert or text “alert” to 901-979-9955. Those who register via text must be sure to complete the registration process by clicking the link in the text reply.

Brooke Muckerman covers county government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Brooke.Muckerman@CommercialAppeal.com and followed on Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.