UPDATE: Water Line Leak Repairs Begin in Ephrata Following Issuance of Boil Advisory

9/3 UPDATE — The City of Ephrata announced Wednesday afternoon that crews have successfully repaired the broken water line that triggered a citywide boil water advisory earlier this week. The line is now back in service, officials confirmed.

Water samples collected from multiple locations around town were delivered Tuesday to a state-certified laboratory in Pasco. Results are expected by Thursday afternoon, September 4. The city said the boil advisory will remain in place until those results confirm the system is free of contaminants.

“If the sample results indicate negative for bacteria, the advisory will be lifted immediately,” officials said. “If contaminants are detected, the chlorinating, flushing, and sampling process will be repeated until safe results are confirmed”.

Residents are asked to continue boiling water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or giving to pets. Water for bathing, showering, handwashing, and laundry remains safe to use without boiling.

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9/2 4:35 P.M. UPDATE — The City of Ephrata reports that repairs to the water line leak are now underway after crews secured the necessary parts earlier today. Public works staff are working overtime to complete repairs as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, the city has chlorinated and flushed the water system, collected samples from several sites around town, and delivered them to a certified laboratory in Pasco for testing. Results are expected by Thursday. If the samples confirm the water is safe, the boil water advisory will be lifted. If contaminants are detected, the process of chlorinating, flushing, and retesting will be repeated until safe results are confirmed.

Officials explained that because of the leak’s location, a negative pressure event occurred in the system, which by law triggers a boil water advisory. Some residents may notice temporary discoloration caused by sediment being stirred up in the lines; this is considered normal.

The advisory remains in effect until further notice. While contamination is possible, officials emphasized it is considered very unlikely. Residents are reminded to boil any water that may be ingested—such as for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or giving to pets—while activities like showering, handwashing, and laundry remain safe without boiling.

The City does not expect to provide additional updates until Wednesday, September 3, at 4:30 p.m., unless new information becomes available sooner.

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9/2 UPDATE — The City of Ephrata is continuing its boil water advisory after crews discovered a leak early Monday morning in a water line at the bottom of the southwest hill, just below the old juvenile detention building and before the canal.

City officials said the cause of the leak remains under investigation, but quick action by utility crews helped isolate the break from the city’s water system. Water service has been restored citywide, though some residents may experience lower-than-normal pressure as the system stabilizes. Anyone without water is asked to contact the city at 509-754-4601.

Because the leak triggered a negative pressure event in the water system, state law required the city to issue a boil water advisory. Negative pressure can allow contaminants to enter the system, and testing is necessary to ensure water quality.

According to the city, the water reservoir refilled overnight, crews chlorinated and flushed the system Tuesday, and water samples have been delivered to a certified lab for testing. Results typically take 48 hours. If the tests confirm no contaminants are present, the advisory could be lifted by late Thursday. However, if contaminants are detected, the process must restart and the advisory will remain in place until safe results are confirmed.

In the meantime, residents are asked to continue boiling water before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. Temporary discoloration may appear in some households due to sediment stirred up by pressure changes, but officials said this is normal.

“The city understands this situation is disruptive and inconvenient,” officials said in the update. “We thank the community for its patience and support while crews work diligently to restore the system to normal operation.”

The city will provide another update by 4:30 p.m. today or sooner if new information becomes available.

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EPHRATA — The City of Ephrata issued a precautionary boil water advisory early Monday morning, Sept. 1, after a leaking line prompted concerns about water safety across the community.

Residents are being urged not to drink tap water without boiling it first. The city advises bringing all water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before cooling and using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and preparing food. Bottled water may also be used as an alternative.

City officials said the measure is strictly precautionary and follows consultation with the Washington State Department of Health. Boiling is necessary to kill bacteria and other organisms that may be present.

Crews are currently isolating the leaking line and redirecting pressure from other water sources and reservoirs. Once that work is complete, the city will flush and chlorinate the system. Water samples will then be collected from several locations and sent to a state-certified lab for testing, which could take up to 24 hours for each round of results.

Residents are encouraged to share the advisory with others who may not have received the notice directly, including people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses. Notices can be posted publicly or distributed by hand or mail.

The city stated that a full explanation of the events will be released once the system is restored to normal operations. Until then, the boil water advisory remains in effect.

For questions, residents can contact City Administrator Ray Towry at rtowry@ephrata.org.