EVERSON — The City of Everson experienced a water main break at the Nooksack River Bridge on the night of March 18 that led to a boil water advisory for the city’s water users and the Hampton and Everson water associations, according to the City of Everson news updates.
The water main was damaged while drilling work was taking place. The state Department of Transportation is researching soil composition under the roadway to prepare for a culvert repair scheduled to begin in 2026.
The break was isolated, water samples were taken and the water lines were flushed.
Repairs occurred the morning of March 20.
All samples taken on March 18 came back satisfactory. Out of an abundance of caution another round of samples were taken on March 19-20 for E. Coli and total coliform.
This round of tests detected the presence of total coliform, according to the City of Everson.
Total coliform is a group of bacteria found in soil, plants and sometimes surface water.
Although total coliform does not mean the water is unsafe it serves as a sign of potential contamination, according to the state Department of Health.
Due to the presence of total coliform a boil water advisory was put into place on March 21.
The advisory was lifted for City of Everson water users south of the Nooksack River Bridge on March 22 and by the afternoon of March 23 the advisory was fully lifted as all samples came back clean.
