Boil order lifted for District 3

A boil order was lifted Sunday afternoon for 4,000 customers of Spokane County Water District 3 in the Country Homes area just north of the Spokane city limits.

District 3 officials said the most recent samples showed no E. coli bacteria.

Officials inspected the water system but were unable to find the source of the contamination, which had forced residents to boil water since Thursday. However, the district will continue to disinfect the system while taking regular samples.

Dan Sander of the state Office of Drinking Water said 17 samples were taken Friday and Saturday and all tested fine.

E. coli bacteria had been found in a separate part of the district that is served by a pair of water towers and associated wells, and the boil order was issued Thursday. The district has been working with the Spokane Regional Health District since the advisory was issued.

The boil order covered the area of the district north of Francis Avenue, south of Country Homes Boulevard, east of Cedar Road and west of Division.

The contamination in Water District 3 affected only about half of the district’s 8,500 customers, said Hoyt Ayles of Water District 3.

Customers who haven’t used fixtures, water fountains, ice machines, beverage machines and other equipment over the past few days are reminded to flush the supply until there is a change in water temperature before putting it back in service.

Customers with questions can call 536-0121.