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Mount Shasta begins interim chlorination after intermittent coliform detections; three weeks of negatives needed before ending treatment
Summary
City public‑works staff said weekly tests detected coliform organisms in the water system in late November; the city began chlorination and will continue until three consecutive negative tests are received, with results expected midweek.
Mount Shasta’s water system was placed on an interim chlorination protocol after routine weekly testing in late November detected low levels of coliform organisms, city public‑works staff told the city council on Jan. 13.
Ken (last name not stated), speaking for the city’s water department, said the detections were for coliform bacteria but not for E. coli. As required by state guidance, the city began chlorination and will stop only after it has three consecutive weeks of negative samples. “At this point we’re two weeks in, … this week we sent samples down today. We should know by Wednesday,” he told the council.
Department staff said detected levels have been very low and that the city is working with the State Water Resources Control Board (Division of Drinking Water) to investigate possible causes. Seasonal conditions — snowpack and frozen access in the watershed — have limited field investigations. Staff said they plan to continue sampling and execute an on‑site investigation as conditions allow.
Councilmembers asked for updates on results; the public‑works representative said the city expects to have a three‑week negative run before discontinuing chlorination, and will provide an update when laboratory results are received.
The council did not take formal action; staff reported the matter as operational and said it will return with test results and follow‑up findings.
