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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1991-D5894 Fairview-Sumac Area / Water• • RESOLUTION NO.DS 9 4 A RESOLUTION certifying the existence of an emergency situa- tion and calling for the construction of domestic water mains with City forces. WHEREAS, the area which is hereinafter described subject to well water contamination: That area within the - Fairview -Sumac area west by Fair Avenue, on the east, Maple north, and Pacific South; and City of Yakima bounded on the Interstate 82 Street on the Street on the is now WHEREAS, Dr. Robert G. Atwood, Health Officer of the Yakima Health District, found that well water contamination in the above-described area constitutes a present health emergen- cy requiring immediate installation of City domestic water mains, and WHEREAS, the Council adopts the findings of Dr. Atwood found in his two letters of March 21, 1991, which are attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:. The City Council hereby declares that an emergency exists in the above-described area requiring the immediate installa- tion of domestic water mains without calling for bid pursuant to the provisions of RCW 35.22.620. The Council hereby directs the City Manager to cause to be prepared appropriate immediate The construction of City Manager is description and estimate plans and specifications for the said water mains with City forces. authorized and directed to publish a of the cost of the work to be per- formed herein within seven (7) days after the commencement of such work. The Council hereby certifies pursuant to RCW 35.22.620(6), the existence of the above-described emergency situations. (res/wtrmn.jv2) ADOPTED BY THE CIT N: COLNCIL this 1. 3,7).1 ATTEST ( r s run . day of April , Mayor CENTRAL OFFICE — 575-4040 — 104 North First Street — Yakima, Wash. 98901 'JNNYSIDE OFFICE — 837-3411 — 1319 Saul Road — P.O. Box 821 — Sunnyside, Wash. 98944 March 21, 1991 John Vanek Yakima City Attorney 201 East Lincoln, Suite 5 Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Fairvier-Sumach Drinking Water Problem Dear Mr. Vanek: • , This letter is in regards to the recent pollution of the rater table underlying the area of southeast Yakima know as Fairview -Sumach. The general area is bounded by: Fair (10 th) Ave on the rest and I 82 on the east Maple St. on the north and Pacific St. on the south Early in January 1991, the Yakima Health District received complaints about the rapid onset of a new, and persistent contaminate in the drinking rater wells in this area. Samples of the yell rater were collected and tested for fecal colifora bacteria and volatile organic chemicals. The tests shoved the presence of fecal coliform and a chemical known as chloroform (a suspected carcinogen). The Health District's laboratory records show that of the 19 samples tested since 12-1-90, 16 tested positive for coliform bacteria. This area is underlain by a very shallow a aquifer. The aquifer in this area extends down to a depth of about 300 feet and is without any protective layering. The soils over the aquifer are extremely porous, and do not protect it fro* surface contamination. Typically, yells in this area are 20 to 40 feet deep. Additionally, a few deeper wells also, show contamination. The consumption and/or exposure to the contaminated rater poses a significant risk of infectious disease and/or other illness. As such, the Yakima Health District issued a Health Advisory informing the residents how to protect their health. This Advisory stated that the rater should not be used for any domestic purpose. Additionally, the advisory stated that people should obtain domestic rater from a known safe source, such as city water. Based upon the information available, the Yakima Health District considers this situation to be an eminent health emergency. Therefore, the Health District supports the City of Yakima in its effort to provide safe rater to the residents in the affected area. If you have any questions, please call me at 575-4040. Sincerely Robert G. Atwood, Health Officer MD, KPH SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTAL UNITS Yakima County Harrah Selah Union Gap Yakima City Mabton Sunnyside Wapato Grandview Moxee Tieton Zillah Granger Neches Toppenish CENTRAL OFFICE — 575-4040 — 104 North First Street — Yakima, Wash. 98901 SUNNYSIDE OFFICE — 837-3411 — 1319 Saul Road •— P.O. Box 821 — Sunnyside, Wash. 98944 March 21, 1991 John Vanek Yakima City Attorney 201 East Lincoln, Suite 5 Yakima, WA 98901 RE: Fairview -Sumach Drinking Water Problem Dear Mr. Vanek: Wily 41.t. 11O 9 A This letter is in response to your inquiry about the word "eminent" in my March 21, 1991 letter on the Fairview -Sumach water problem. This word occurs in the 6th paragraph of that letter. As I understand your inquiry, you wanted to know if I had intended to use the word "eminent" or the word "imminent". Actually, both words accurately describe the situation. The situation is both an eminent (prominent) and imminent (emerging) health emergency. I hope this clarifies the issue. If you have any questions, please call me at 575--9040. Sincerely, Robert G. Atwood, Health Officer MD, MPH SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTAL UNITS Yakima County Harrah Selah Union Gap Yakima City Mabton Sunnyside Wapato Grandview Moxee Tieton Zillah Granger Naches Toppenish