Test Confirms That Water in Student Center is Clean, Safe

Sept. 28, 2004

 

It is safe to drink the water at the Taggart Student Center.

 

On Monday afternoon (Sept. 27), employees in the Skyroom Restaurant noticed that the cold water had a slight filminess. They immediately switched to bottled water and reported the incident, according to Facilities Assistant Vice President Darrell Hart. Access to all water sources was immediately shut down. The Taggart Student Center water system was flushed and tests were sent to Chem Tech-Ford, a private Environmental Protection Agency-certified laboratory in Murray, Utah

           

The results of the Monday night sample came back this morning (Sept. 28) and showed the water to be clear and safe. “It was good, quality drinking water,” said Rocky Baum, chief organic chemist at Tech-Ford. “It was really clean water.”

           

The first sample, taken prior to the system flush, came back with trace amounts of at least one chemical, styrene, commonly found in Styrofoam. Another chemical appeared to be hexanal, although it was not a perfect match. Both measured at one part per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency allows for 100 parts per billion of both styrene and hexanal. “So it was 100 times under the control limit,” Baum said.

           

The university took extreme precautions as soon as the tests showed any potential problem, Hart said. The student center covered all drinking fountains. New water fountain filters were installed and the fountains were back in full operation by noon today.