Precautionary Boil Water Notice Lifted for Lenah Run

10/12/2010: Precautionary Boil Water Notice Lifted for Lenah Run

Dear Lenah Run Residents,

We have received results from samples taken on October 11, and again, there were no traces of coliform bacteria. We informed the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) of the results, and they have advised Loudoun Water that we can lift the Precautionary Boil Water Notice, effective immediately.

As noted previously, in consultation with the VDH, we issued the boil water notice as a precaution. When water systems lose pressure, there is a slightly increased risk of contamination. While your distribution system has safeguards to minimize chances of water contamination when water pressure is lost, VDH regulations require that a temporary Precautionary Boil Water Notice must be issued until bacteriological sampling can confirm that the system is free from coliform bacteria.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you again for your cooperation as we worked through this issue.

Sincerely,

Todd Danielson

Todd Danielson, P.E., BCEE
Manager of Community Systems
Loudoun Water
tel: 571.291.7835
cell: 703.501.3575

10/12/2010: Precautionary Boil Water Notice Update

Dear Lenah Run Residents,

Results from samples taken on October 11 have come back free from coliform bacteria. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been informed of the results.

The precautionary boil water notice remains in effect. We are expecting results from another round of samples on the evening of October 12, and we'll provide an update after we receive those results.

In consultation with the VDH, we issued the boil water notice as a precaution. When water systems lose pressure, there is a slightly increased risk of contamination. The Lenah Run water system was designed to minimize the chance for contamination in these situations. However, VDH regulations require that whenever pressure is lost in a water system, a temporary Precautionary Boil Water Notice must be issued until bacteriological sampling can confirm that the system is free from coliform bacteria.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you again for your continued patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

10/11/10: Dear Lenah Run Residents,

Sometime this morning on October 11, a radio communication failure between the water storage tank and the wells that serve as the source water for Lenah Run occurred. This prevented the booster pump system from providing water to the higher-elevation areas of Lenah Run temporarily. Pressure was restored at 11:40am. Houses on the following streets were affected:

AMBER OAK LA
AUTUMN OAK LA
DARK HOLLOW CIR
GLEN MEADOW PL
HARVEST FIELD LA
HEATHER HILL PL
HICKORY RIDGE PL
HIDDEN VALLEY PL
KNOLLBROOK PL
LENAH RUN CIR
LENAH WOODS PL (past the water tank)
LONGSHADOW LA
OLD OAK LA
PLEASANT RIDGE PL
ROLLING VIEW PL
SHADY KNOLL CIR
SUNNY MEADOW LA
WALNUT HILL PL

When pressure is lost in a water system, there is a chance that negative pressure can draw contaminants in through a backflow situation. The Lenah Run water system was designed to minimize the chance for backflow conditions. However, Virginia Department of Health (VDH) regulations require that when pressure is lost in a water system, a temporary Boil Water Notice must be issued until bacteriological sampling can confirm that the system is free from coliform bacteria. Therefore, we are issuing a precautionary Temporary Boil Water Notice for customers on the streets listed above. We are collecting bacteriological samples and anticipate them to come back clean. We should be able to lift the precautionary Boil Water Notice Wednesday morning, possibly earlier, after VDH has advised us that we can lift the precautionary notice. We have listed additional information from the Virginia Department of Health that explains procedures customers should follow during a Boil Water Notice.

We will provide the HOA an update for them to post to their website when we end the Boil Water Notice and will do the same on our website.

Thank you for your patience as we wait for sampling results.

Sincerely,