Operations were humming at Salem and Turner water stations installed in response to low levels of toxins found in the city drinking water.
Over three hours, councilors grilled city staff members on why they decided to wait until Tuesday to disclose to the public the city’s water was contaminated.
Salem’s water crisis drew questions and criticism from some of Oregon’s state and congressional lawmakers.
The advisory level for healthy adults is 3 parts per billion and for vulnerable populations — children under 6 years of age and people with weak immune systems — is 0.7 parts per billion.
The results received May 25 spurred a same-day meeting at 1 p.m. of city officials including Public Works Director Peter Fernandez.
"The decision after the meeting was that we were — regardless of what the next sample might show — we were within that 10-day health advisory" period and didn’t issue a public alert.
"Even today, we’re still (within) that 10-day health advisory for vulnerable populations," Fernandez said.
We need timely access to critical information.
To that end, Courtney told leaders of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management and Oregon Health Authority to expect a hearing on emergency preparedness this September.
In addition, the water advisory and possibility of future toxic algae blooms, along with a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal that would draw down Detroit Lake, might place Salem’s longstanding water supply in jeopardy.