Water Service for Twenty-four South Salem Homes Affected

The cause of the odor is still unknown. An investigation of the cause is continuing.

This is the affected neighborhood. Image courtesy: Salem Public Works

(SALEM, Ore.) - Last Thursday, work by a contractor on a water main replacement project in south Salem was stopped when odors were detected at several residences after they were hooked up to the new water main.

Salem officials say this project consisted of replacing an old steel water main with a new looped water main and reconnecting homes on Crestview Drive S (south of Madrona Avenue S), Mimosa Street S, and Windgate Street S to the new system.

Twenty-four homes had been hooked up to the new water main when the project was stopped. The affected residences were notified of the concern and bottled water was provided to each residence. No other homes were affected.

The following day, April 4th, in a continuing effort to ensure safe drinking water, the City of Salem temporarily reconnected these homes to the old water main.

Water samples are being taken from each of the twenty-four homes and from the new water main. Homeowners will be contacted individually when test results are available. No additional odor conditions have been reported.

The cause of the odor is still unknown. An investigation of the cause is continuing.

"Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of our drinking water," says Peter Fernandez, Interim Public Works Director. "The City is taking a very aggressive approach to identify and correct this problem."

Bottled water continues to be available at no charge to the residents affected by this event. For more information, citizens may contact the 24-hour Dispatch Communications Hotline at 503-588-6333.