x
Breaking News
More () »

Germantown says water tests from Sunday samples are clear, no more diesel present

Anyone who is still detecting an odor should call 901-757-7200 or email CustomerService@Germantown-TN.gov.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The City of Germantown said Tuesday morning that all water samples collected Sunday, July 30, are 'clear, non-detect for diesel.'

The City released the results of the samples HERE. They said this video explains the testing and 'interpretation of results.'

The City said it continues to conduct main line flushing in target areas still experiencing residual odor. 

On Monday, the City of Germantown said water samples collected on Saturday from areas that were reporting an odor in the tap earlier in the week were all clear. Germantown city government also said that water samples collected Friday from areas that were reporting an odor in the tap earlier in the week were all clear.

Anyone who is still detecting an odor should call 901-757-7200 or email CustomerService@Germantown-TN.gov

Results from samples collected on Sunday, July 30, from regions where reports of residual odor in tap water were...

Posted by City of Germantown, Tennessee Government on Tuesday, August 1, 2023

This news came after more than a week of residents not knowing whether it was safe to drink water following a diesel leak. On Friday, July 28 the city initially said that about 1-2% of residents were still smelling an odor in their water. This was after giving an all-clear on Thursday, July 27.

On Saturday morning, the city still warned that if residents can smell an odor, they should not use their water for anything other than toilets.

The city also said by Saturday evening that reports of new locations for the odor had "decreased significantly." Samples at 19 targeted and regional locations that were collected on Friday all came back clear and not detecting diesel, according to the City of Germantown (COG). 

Still, a Germantown resident named Justin said the last time he’s filled his Brita was Thursday, July 20.

“I was sitting at work, and I just heard one of my coworkers go, 'Oh my gosh, there’s something wrong with the water in Germantown,'” Justin said.

Since then, he’s been through a roller coaster of emotions as the city of Germantown struggles to keep residents' questions about the diesel contamination answered.

“On the city's Facebook page, there’s a lot of irate people,” Justin said. “They’re asking questions I didn’t even think about.”

Justin said he still feels left in the dark as he watches fire hydrants drain, water bottle drives begin and end and still smells diesel in the water.

“I would say maybe last Saturday was the first time I could actually smell when I was taking a shower, I got a few hints of it,” Justin said.

The city of Germantown has stopped water distributions per their social media, despite the back-and-forth over who can flush their water system out and who cannot.

“Running the hot water, it looked pretty murky that first go around, but that could’ve just been the sediment that was in the bottom of the hot water tank from them,” Justin said.

While some residents are skeptical about the future of Germantown water, Justin said he hopes the city is more transparent moving forward.

“I’ll still be filtering any water that comes out of the tap that I drink,” Justin said. “I would hope they do follow ups and they do like weekly testing… throughout the city.”

The city started answering resident questions on their social media, but as long as residential water is not clean, community frustration grows.

ABC24 is working to get you answers. Text us the questions you want to ask city leaders at 901-321-7520.

Before You Leave, Check This Out