MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The City of Germantown (COG) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) said on Thursday that water customers can resume normal use of water, but, on Friday, the groups warned that if residents can still smell an odor, they should not use their water for anything other than toilets.
As of noon on Friday, about two percent of Germantown's 15,000 homes are reporting odors in their service lines even after the water order was lifted.
Reports of odors are in concentrated areas and the City said on Friday they were "executing additional main line flushing" to target these areas. These areas are predominantly at the crests of hills and where main lines dead end, such as in coves, they said.
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).
COG released a video explaining results of water testing.
For those that do not smell an odor, city leaders said that water system lines still must be flushed to rid water that has been standing in interior pipes.
The city said as long as residents do not smell an odor after flushing the system, they can resume consumption and regular water use once the system is flushed.
Some customers may see some sediment or discoloration in their water once they start flushing their system. Officials said seeing sediment or discoloration is normal, and it is caused by the extensive flushing of City water mains over the past few days. They said the sediment will settle as normal water usage returns.
Water testing results
Thursday afternoon, Germantown released the results that led to TDEC agreeing to lift the water restrictions. Find those results HERE. The city said the test results "show that clean water is being distributed into the City's water system from the point source, the Southern Avenue water treatment plant's underground reservoirs and elevated tower."
The city said samples were taken from the following:
- The water from the top surface and bottom of the elevated tower across from the Southern Avenue water treatment plant (ECV tank surface; bottom of elevated tank)
- The water from different locations in the underground reservoirs (CW5A - Clearwell; CW6 - Ttap @ water plant; CW01 - HCL; CW01 - Non HCL; CW01)
- A breakdown of the constituents in the water in the underground reservoirs
The city said all samples were independently tested by a third party testing company.
How long should I flush my lines?
According to Germantown officials, people who did not detect diesel in their water can run their faucets for five minutes.
For residents who smell an odor while they are flushing or those who previously smelled diesel in their water should follow a more extensive flushing process, Germantown said.
The City provided the following step-by-step process:
Step 1: Open a few cold water taps and run the water for 15 minutes to clear the water from main.
Step 2: Open each cold tap one at a time and run the water for five minutes to clean that specific line. Start with the tap closest to where water enters the building and move toward the farthest tap. Repeat this process for the rest of the cold taps.
Step 3: Repeat the first and second step and run hot water through the taps instead. To flush your water heater, fill a bathtub, and drain the water from the tub twice.
City leaders said any clothing or dishes that were washed while the restriction was in place should be rewashed.
Water-using devices like icemakers, dishwashers and washing machines may require additional cleaning steps in addition to flushing. Residents should throw out all ice from icemakers.
Residents can also consult the device manufacturer’s maintenance instructions for more complex water-using devices, COG said.
What should I do if I still smell an odor?
If you still smell an odor after completing the extensive flushing process, the city said you should repeat the extensive flushing process a second time.
If there is still an odor after flushing a second time, email customer service at CustomerService@Germantown-TN.gov or call (901) 757-7200.
The City has released additional answers to the community’s most frequently asked questions. To view the updated FAQ, CLICK HERE.
If you have additional questions you'd like to ask, submit them at Germantown-TN.gov/WaterQuestions.