Results normal on NPU water tests at and near NFA
Norwich — Norwich Public Utilities conducted water quality tests at six locations in the Norwich Free Academy area and both upstream and downstream of the campus in response to complaints of an odor and unusual taste to the water starting Tuesday evening.
NFA has been using bottled drinking since the problem was detected and will continue to do so through the weekend, NFA spokesman Geoff Serra said.
“All test results were normal, confirming that the NPU water remains safe for human consumption,” an NPU news release stated Thursday afternoon. “These tests revealed normal levels for chlorine, pH, odor and turbidity (clarity).”
Test samples were drawn at four locations on the NFA campus and two nearby locations, on Washington Street near the William W. Backus Hospital, upstream in the water main system and on Joseph Perkins Road downstream, NPU spokesman Chris Riley said.
NPU also sent water samples to a state-certified, independent laboratory to evaluate the taste and odor of the water, and expects to have results of those tests next week, Riley said.
The smell and taste, described by some as “earthy,” could be attributed to the ongoing drought conditions.
NPU contractors applied a treatment of copper sulfate at both reservoirs Wednesday afternoon as a means of counteracting the slightly elevated level of an organic compound that was identified on Tuesday.
Hydrants were flushed in the NFA area as well on Wednesday.
NPU also is making operational adjustments at water tanks in Occum and in Mohegan Park to increase the speed at which water is moved through the system.
“We will continue to flush water from a small number of hydrants throughout the day, including near the NFA campus, to accelerate the flow of water from both NPU reservoirs into our system and on to our customers,” Riley said.
He said NPU received three calls from residents with similar conditions on Harland Road and McKinley Avenue Extension, both not far from the NFA campus.
Serra said NFA purchased 9,000 16.5-ounce bottles of water and placed some on tables where drinking fountains are located for staff and students. Additional bottles will be provided to athletes on campus, he said. Bottled water also is being used for cooking on campus.
Tap water still is being used for bathrooms, hand-washing and showers, Serra said.
“We want to stress that the water is safe for consumption, and tests confirm everything is normal on our system,” Riley said Thursday.
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