UPDATE: September 30, 6:40 pm: The water recommendations were lifted Tuesday evening, as the water was found to be free of contaminants, according to Eagle Mountain City.
*Water Testing Results* Lab reports our water is free of contaminants. Recommendations are lifted. Normal use may resume. Thanks to all!
— Eagle Mountain City (@eaglemtncity) September 30, 2014
EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — Local law enforcement is investigating one of Eagle Mountain City’s water storage tanks after they discovered a break-in.
City officials have warned residents against using municipal water for drinking, cooking, bathing, teeth brushing, or cleaning until further notice. City officials say the water supply was at risk for contamination.
"We've taken multiple samples throughout our city into one of the state certified laboratories so what we are doing now is waiting for the results of those tests which they will get back to us tomorrow evening," said David Norman, Public Works Director for Eagle Mountain.
Norman said there is no reason to believe the water was tampered with.
"There has been no indications from illnesses, any taste or odor that anything is wrong with the water," Norman said. "We just felt like we should get it out to the residents what we knew, what had happened, because we just felt the residents should be aware."
City officials said up to 25,000 residents depend on the water. Kira Holyoak is one of them.
"Well I've got a mountain of dishes that I could use getting done, my kids could use a bath, as well as myself, so it's going to be kind of a rough night," Holyoak said.
Holyoak said with two young children, and one on the way, she isn't going to take any chances using potentially contaminated water.
"You just never know, people are crazy, you just never know what they might be willing to do," she said.
Residents with questions can contact the City Water Department at 801-789-6661, the Utah Division of Drinking Water at 801-536-4200, or the Utah County Health Department at 801-851-7525.
It is a federal offense to break into a water storage system and the suspect or suspects responsible are facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
FOX 13 News will have the results from the water testing as soon as Eagle Mountain makes them available.
