UPDATE: Boil order lifted in Tonkawa

TONKAWA — The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has suspended the Mandatory Boil Order for the City of Tonkawa Water System after determining that the required corrective actions have been completed and water quality requirements have been met.

What does this mean?

You may resume using your tap water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing your teeth, and all other normal household and business uses.

Before returning to normal use, ODEQ recommends that residents and businesses:

• Run cold water from each faucet for several minutes to flush household plumbing.

• Discard any ice made during the boil order and make a fresh batch.

• If you have a refrigerator water dispenser or filtration system, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for flushing or replacing filters if applicable.

UPDATE: More bottled water being distributed to Tonkawa residents in the wake of E-Coli crisis

TONKAWA —  The City of Tonkawa has received another shipment of bottled drinking water, and crews are currently placing pallets at one of the the same distribution locations used previously: 114 south 7th Street (Parking lot across from the Tonkawa Utility Offices) 

To help ensure that bottled water is distributed fairly to all City of Tonkawa water customers, a current City of Tonkawa utility bill will be required to receive water. 

Distribution Guidelines: Maximum of two (2) cases per residence.

Please have your City of Tonkawa utility bill available when picking up your water. 

If you are picking up water on behalf of a neighbor, family member, or someone unable to come themselves, you must present a copy or photo of their City of Tonkawa utility bill. 

These procedures are being implemented to help ensure that our limited bottled water supply reaches the residents and customers who are directly affected by the boil order. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation as we work to distribute this resource as fairly as possible. 

UPDATE on Tonkawa Water Supply; A transparent look at what has happened

From Nick Payne, City Manager

TONKAWA — The City of Tonkawa has always believed that our residents deserve honest and transparent communication. We know there have been many questions regarding the current Mandatory Boil Order, and we would like to share a timeline of events so everyone understands what has occurred and what steps are being taken moving forward.

Routine Water Monitoring

The City of Tonkawa Water Department routinely monitors and samples the City’s drinking water to help ensure it remains safe for consumption. Water samples are collected each week throughout the distribution system, and chlorine residuals are tested every morning and every afternoon. These results are documented and submitted to an independent certified laboratory for analysis, with the results reported to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).

June 24 – Initial Routine Sample

During routine sampling, one residential sample tested positive for Total Coliform bacteria.

A positive Total Coliform result does not automatically mean that E. coli is present or that a boil order is required. It does, however, require additional testing under state and federal regulations.

Follow-Up Sampling

During follow-up sampling, City staff coordinated with ODEQ regarding the appropriate sampling locations. At the approval of ODEQ representatives, samples were collected from the City’s Out-of-Town Water Basin, which serves as the collection point for the municipal wells. ODEQ later directed the City to also collect source water samples directly from the wells, which the City completed on June 29 (stated in the notice). Following ODEQ guidance, City staff collected repeat samples throughout the distribution system. Samples were collected from the City’s Out-of-Town Water Basin, upstream and downstream of the original sampling location, and later from the City’s municipal wells.

The laboratory results showed:

The original repeat sample was negative for E. coli and Total Coliform.

The upstream sample was negative for E. coli and Total Coliform.

The downstream sample tested positive for E. coli and Total Coliform.

July 1 – Laboratory Notification

At approximately 10:40 a.m. on July 1, the City’s Water Superintendent was notified by the independent laboratory that one repeat sample had tested positive for E. coli.

The laboratory advised the City that it would immediately notify ODEQ in accordance with required procedures.

July 1 – ODEQ Notification

At approximately 1:30 p.m., City officials were contacted by ODEQ and advised that, based on the confirmed laboratory results, a Mandatory Boil Order would be issued.

Immediately upon receiving that direction, the City began implementing its emergency response plan.

Immediate Response

Within 10 minutes, the City:

– Issued emergency notifications through NIXLE text and email alerts.

– Posted information to the City of Tonkawa Facebook page.

– Updated the City’s website.

– Coordinated with local television, radio stations, and news outlets.

– Began securing pallets of bottled water for public distribution.

– Began to Hand-deliver boil order notices to nearly 50 restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, businesses, churches, and daycares throughout the community.

Current Status

Since the boil order was issued, City crews have continued collecting additional water samples throughout the system.

ODEQ personnel are on-site working directly with City staff to conduct additional sampling, evaluate the water system, and oversee the corrective actions required before the boil order can be lifted. The DEQ order also lists the corrective actions and follow-up sampling that must be completed before it will consider lifting the boil order.

It is true that numerous other Oklahoma towns are in the same predicament that our community is in. We have reached out to some of those communities to share information and discuss best practices.

Our Commitment

We understand that this situation has been inconvenient and concerning. Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our highest priority.

Our water operators, Public Works employees, Police Department, Fire Department, administrative staff, and numerous volunteers have been working around the clock to respond to this situation, coordinate with ODEQ, distribute bottled water, and keep the public informed.

We will continue providing updates as additional information becomes available. When ODEQ determines that the water system meets all regulatory requirements and authorizes the boil order to be lifted, we will notify the public immediately.

Thank you for your continued patience, cooperation, and support as we work through this together.

— Nick Payne, City Manager

Boil order issued for Tonkawa Public Water Supply

OKLAHOMA CITY— The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has required Tonkawa Public Water Supply to inform users of its drinking water to use water that has been brought to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute, bottled water, or water from another acceptable source for consumption, use in food preparation, dishwashing and brushing teeth. This order was issued due to E. coli in the drinking water.

The following water system purchases water from Tonkawa PWS, and is therefore also under the mandatory boil order:

• Tonkawa Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

Users will be notified when the water is considered safe for human consumption. Federal law requires that consumers be notified when a public water supply exceeds certain maximum contaminant levels and might be harmful to the health of consumers.