JOAN BARRON Star-Tribune capital bureau | Posted: Wednesday, January 7, 2009 12:00 am
SUNDANCE - Sundance residents were still drinking bottled water Wednesday pending more tests and flushing of the town's diesel-contaminated water system.
Officials believe the diesel came from a drilling rig that was drilling a new water well in the well field about four miles outside the Sundance town limits.
Crook County Emergency Management Coordinator Gari Gill said the diesel went through a fracture and got into an aquifer.
The well was shut down at about 7 p.m. Sunday.
The first test results were in Tuesday night.
"We're still testing for other stuff, too. We're doing a full-spectrum test," Gill said Wednesday.
Staff from the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality's water quality division have been pulling water samples for testing the past couple of days.
Gill said the town has been using radio, television and a phone grid to inform residents.
Those affected are residents of Sundance, with a population of fewer than 2,000 people, and the surrounding area.
"We have hauled in 1,200 cases of bottled water and we are giving it out at city hall," Gill said.
He said more water will be delivered today.
Gill said the smell of diesel was evident, particularly in the hot water, because hydrocarbons go to the surface.
"The first shot out of the hot water was pretty wicked," he said.
Public health staff are also involved and are talking to businesses.
When the DEQ gives the OK, the drinking water ban will be lifted, Gill said.
The town on Wednesday was flushing out the lines. Residents were advised to start flushing their water systems slowly until there is no odor.
Residents will get minimum-use water bills for the month of January, town officials said in a news release.
Contact capital bureau reporter Joan Barron at (307) 632-1244 or joan.barron@trib.com