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EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Eagle Mountain's culinary water is free of contaminants, according to city officials, who had urged residents not to use the water for any reason Monday after a break-in was discovered at one of the city's five storage tanks.
"We just thought it was best to notify (residents) of what we knew and what we were doing, and also to put out the recommendation that they don't use the water until we get those (test) results back," Eagle Mountain Public Works Director David Norman said.
On Monday, a hiker reported that the fence around one of Eagle Mountain's water storage tanks had been breached, Norman said. City crews found that the lock on the tank's top hatch had also been cut, he said.
As a safety precaution, crews isolated the compromised 2 million gallon tank so its water was no longer entering the city's delivery lines. Samples were taken and sent to a state-certified laboratory for testing.
"It's been a little bit scary, wondering what could possibly be in the water," Eagle Mountain resident Dana Pruner said Tuesday afternoon before the test results were in.
We're going to be implementing additional drive-bys and visual inspections. We're also looking strongly at putting electronic intrusion devices on some of our (water) systems.
–David Norman, Eagle Mountain Public Works director
"To say we can't shower or wash our dishes is a little bit strange," she added.
Not everyone was worried though.
"It wasn't a huge concern for us," Eagle Mountain resident Emily Malzer said. "We've survived a couple days. I know the city's doing the best they can, and they'll take precautions in the future. You live and learn."
Eagle Mountain already has locks on all of its water facilities; however, the break-in has the city exploring new security measures.
"We're going to be implementing additional drive-bys and visual inspections," Norman said. "We're also looking strongly at putting electronic intrusion devices on some of our (water) systems."
Tampering with a public water system is a federal crime that carries a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $1 million. Anyone with information about the Eagle Mountain break-in is asked to call Utah County Sheriff's Office dispatch at 801-794-3970.
