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Fallon County water staff say DEQ testing and pipe flushing needed after high coliform readings
Summary
Public‑works staff told commissioners that water‑system tests showed elevated total coliform counts and outlined a spring start‑up plan that includes pigging and chlorine 'plugs' and coordinated sampling with a school lab; they said DEQ currently requires meeting a 'less than 23 total coliforms' threshold for their system class.
Public‑works staff updated the commission about ongoing water‑system testing and the path to restart irrigation and golf‑course water this spring. Staff said recent test results showed unexpectedly high total coliform counts and that DEQ’s current requirement for their system class is a total coliform threshold rather than the lower class‑A/B limit.
“We requested the deviation similar to what's done out at Big Sky. Ours was denied. So we're still sitting at being required to produce less than 23 total coliforms,” the staff member said, describing the regulatory status and the tests they must meet.
Staff described steps they plan before turning water back on for irrigation: pigging and flushing pipes, sending a chlorine plug down the line in spring start‑up, and calibrating the chlorine feed while pulling sequential samples. They said one practical approach is to coordinate sample draws with the school lab to run multiple tests in a single day, allowing staff to dial the system in and verify residual chlorine and biological results hour‑by‑hour.
The report noted operational hurdles—low hydraulics in the pond, leaks and copper theft that reduced system performance—and the need to schedule tests and lab work carefully to produce valid samples. Commissioners and staff discussed timing (March/April), the need for scheduled coordination and ensuring adequate supplies and staffing for repeated sampling.
No formal decision was taken beyond directing staff to continue coordination with DEQ and laboratory partners and to prepare for the spring startup sequence.
