Smoke Signals 3
FEBRUARY 1,2012
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Tribe purchases bottled
water for employees, Elders
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Water samples that tested posi
tive for bacteria forced the Grand
Ronde Community Water Associa
tion to issue a boil water order for
all of its approximately 950 custom
ers, including the Grand Ronde
Tribal campus and Tribal housing,
on Tuesday, Jan. 24.
Spirit Mountain Casino, which
has its own water treatment sys
tem, was not affected by the or
der. In response, the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde purchased
bottled water for its employees,
Elders and Tribal members.
The water association gets its
water from four springs and the
water is usually pure enough that
it does not require treatment.
However, on Monday, Jan. 23,
samples tested positive for coliform
bacteria, which are used as an in
dicator of the possible presence of
other microorganisms.
One of the samples also tested
positive for E. coli a fecal coliform
bacteria.
"Fecal coliform and E. coli are
bacteria whose presence indicates
that the water may be contaminated
with human or animal wastes," said
a Drinking Water Warning issued
Jan. 24 by the water association to
Grand Ronde residents. "Microbes
in these wastes can cause diarrhea,
cramps, nausea, headaches or other
symptoms. They may pose a spe
cial health risk for infants, young
children and people with severely
compromised immune systems."
As a precaution, water used for
consumption, food preparation or
brushing teeth should be boiled for
one minute.
Karl Ekstrom, manager of the
water association, said it has not
been determined how the bacteria
entered the water system. The
affected area is Southwest Hebo
Road, west of mile post 18.
Recent samples from the springs
indicate that the problem is not
associated with the springs them
selves, but with the pipes and reser
voirs used to distribute the water.
"Bacterial contamination can oc
cur when increased runoff enters
the drinking water source. For
example, following heavy rains. It
can also happen due to a break in
the distribution system (pipes) or
a failure in the water treatment
process," the warning says.
The water association is work
ing with the Polk County Health
Department and Oregon Health
Division to eliminate the bacteria
from the water. Water samples are
being tested regularly.
The warning said the water as
sociation is performing a complete
tank cleaning and mainline flush
ing in addition to increased testing,
and predicted it will take approxi
mately two weeks before water is
safe to drink again.
On the Tribal campus, the boil
water order prompted the Tribal
Executive Office to purchase bottled
water for employee consumption.
Bottled water was distributed in the
Governance Center, Health & Well
ness Clinic, Education Building,
Tribal Housing Authority, Social
Services and Natural Resources.
In addition, said Public Works
Director John Mercier, the Tribe
contacted Sierra Springs and on
Thursday, Jan. 26, 12 water dis
pensers were located in all Tribal
buildings. Also, on Friday, Jan. 27,
water containers from Spirit Moun
tain Casino were distributed.
Mercier said food preparers at
the Elders' Activity Center were
boiling water to ensure it was safe
to consume.
Tribal Housing Authority Direc
tor Carina Kistler said her office
received more than 150 phone calls
as word of the contamination spread.
The Housing Authority made bottled
water available to Tribal housing
residents and created an informa
tional flier that was distributed to
residents. It also set up a call line
at 503-879-4526 to update residents
about the water situation.
In a Tribal-wide e-mail, Dental
Director Eric Webster said that
water used in the dental operation
rooms is distilled and that there
also is an anti-bacterial product
in the water lines to prevent con
tamination. Tribal Pharmacy Director Julie
Davis said that the Tribe's Health
& Wellness Center has not seen
any patients with illnesses that
might be attributed to ingestion
of E. coli.
In the Governance Center, Tribal
Grants Developer Bob McElderry
boiled large pots of water for use
by fellow employees while Central
Phones Operators used bottled wa
ter to make coffee for visitors and
Tribal Council meetings.
Spirit Mountain Casino, which
does not use water from the Grand
Ronde Community Water Asso
ciation, provided drinking water,
which was transported over to the
Tribal campus.
"Their environmental team con
stantly monitors their water qual
ity," said Tribal Executive Officer
Chris Leno.
Mercier said he was personally
impressed with how the Tribe and
community members have respond
ed to this first-ever boil water order
for the Grand Ronde area.
"It has been really helpful to us
in maintaining and responding to
this crisis with the high level of
cooperation we have received from
the community," Mercier said.
He estimated the additional wa
ter purchases will cost the Tribe
about $1,500. B
Committee & Special Event
Board meeting days and times
Below is the most current information on the meeting days and times for
Tribal Committees and Special Event Boards:
Ceremonial Hunt Board meets as needed. Chair: Shonn Leno.
Cultural Trust Board meets at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each
month. Chair: Perri McDaniel.
Culture Committee meets at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month
in Modular No. 3. Chair: Kathy Provost.
Education Committee meets at 5:15 p.m. on the first Monday of the
month in the Adult Education Building. Chair: Shelby Rogers.
Elders' Committee meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month
in the Elders' Activity Center. Chair: Gladys Hobbs.
Enrollment Committee meets quarterly in Room 204 of the Governance
Building. Acting Chair: Robert Schmid.
Fish & Wildlife Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of
the month at the Natural Resources Building. Chair: Harold Lyon.
Health Committee meets at 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of the
month in the Tribal Wellness Center. Acting Chair: Patti Tom-Martin.
Powwow Special Event Board meets at 5 p.m. the first Thursday of
the month at the Tribal Community Center. Chair: Dana Ainam.
Rodeo Special Event Board meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of the
month at the Tribal Rodeo Office. Acting Chair: Harold Lyon.
Social Services Committee meets at 4 p.m. the second Monday of the
month in the Social Services Conference Room. Chair: Jenny Sanchez.
Timber Committee meets at 5 p.m. the second Thursday of the month
at the Natural Resources Building. Chair Bob Mercier.
Veterans Special Event Board meets at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of the
month in the Tribal Community Center. Chair Dakota Whitecloud.
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CI
ass
Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m.
with Dara Dickinson (Simmons)
Learn applique design techniques
kGirls Jingle, Fancy & Traditional Dress styles
Boys Grass, Fancy Traditional & Chicken
Starting in Feb., open to the first 1 0 to register,
For more information or to sign-up call:
Brian Krehbiel at 503-879-4639
brian.krehbielgrandronde.org
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Ad created by George Valdez
Graves teaching weekly
basket weaving class
Tribal Elder Connie Graves teaches a basket weaving class at 12:30
p.m. Tuesday in the Elders' Activity Center.
The class is open to the public.
For more information, contact Tribal Cultural Education Specialist Brian
Krehbiel at 503-879-4639 or brian.krehbielgrandronde.org. B