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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2016)
S moke S ignals MARCH 1, 2016 7 Grand Ronde water nearing all-clear stage By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Although he has not yet an- nounced that the Grand Ronde Community Water Association system is totally free of coliform bacteria, Manager Karl Ekstrom says that samples taken over the last four months have all come back clean. Since samples that detected co- liform bacteria in the water in Oc- tober, samples taken in November, December, January and February have not. Ekstrom said he takes two sam- ples on the same day at different points in the water system and then sends them to a state-certiied laboratory for testing. This is good news for Tribal Emergency Operations Coordinator Jamie Baxter, who says she has heard through the local “rumor mill” of people concerned about pos- sible illnesses caused by consuming the water. Ekstrom said the Water Asso- ciation has not received any calls about people getting ill, but has received calls from customers who do not like the residual chlorine in the water. The chlorine was used to clean storage tanks after October’s positive tests. “People out here are used to non-chlorinated water, so a little chlorine is noticeable,” he says. According to Oregon Public Health’s Drinking Water Data, the Grand Ronde Community Wa- ter Association has experienced Sherif’s Advisory Team seeking participants Polk County Sheriff Mark Garton has formed a nine-member Sheriff’s Advisory Team, which will review current issues relating to law enforcement, quality-of-life issues and Sheriff’s programs. Five members, including Tribal Council member Denise Harvey, have already been selected. The four remaining positions will be appointed after a selection process occurs by those already on the team. Citizens who are interested can turn in an application to the team, which will review them and then make a recommendation to Garton. Team members will be required to attend monthly/quarterly meetings and represent their community’s concerns and provide insight and guidance to the Sheriff’s Ofice. New members will serve two-year terms and receive a minimum of 10 hours of training during the irst six months of their appoint- ment, as well as receive ongoing training. Members also must undergo a background check because they may deal with sensitive law enforcement information during their term. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Garton at Garton.mark@co.polk.or.us or call 503-623-9251, or visit www. co.polk.or.us/ms/volunteer-application on the Internet. positive coliform bacteria tests for seven straight years, from 2009 through 2015. Coliform bacteria are generally not harmful since they are naturally present in the environment. Howev- er, they are used by health oficials as an indicator of other potentially harmful bacteria that might be pres- ent. Follow-up testing did not ind more harmful bacteria, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, Ekstrom said. Jim Solvedt, Environmental Health supervisor with Polk Coun- ty, said that inding coliform bac- teria in rural water systems is not that unusual since biomass build- up inside the pipes is common. “I think Karl has learned that he has to scour the lines more often and he is using the state-of-the-art process of ice pigging, or running a slurry of ice through the pipes to knock off the biomass,” Solvedt said. Solvedt said the Grand Ronde Community Water Association is one of the few systems in Oregon that does not chlorinate and the water originates from a spring. “It’s a really good source of water,” he said. However, Solvedt warned, new federal drinking water rules that will require less testing but be more punitive when coliform bacteria is detected may eventually force Grand Ronde to chlorinate its water. Solvedt said Polk County has not received any calls regarding illness- es suspected of being caused by the local water. Grand Ronde Health Services Director Kelly Rowe said Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center providers have not reported any patients suspected of getting sick from drinking the local water. People with speciic health concerns who are worried about drinking water that has coliform bacteria in it should consult their doctor, drink bottled water or boil their water before use. If you choose the latter, heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top, let it reach a rolling boil for one minute and then let the water cool. The Grand Ronde Community Water Association has more than 950 customers in the local area. To find out more, attend a FREE Start Your Business class! JOIN US at the Grand Ronde Adult Education Building on the second Thursday of every month at 4PM 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR LEARN MORE AT: WWW.meritnw.org Or call 503 548-7314 If you suffer from: neck or back pain, headaches, have been injured or seek wellness care for your family, chiropractic care may beneÞt you! Free Playgroup in CALL (971) 266-3450 or go to nunleychiropractic.com to schedule an appointment! Grand Ronde! * When: Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month 10:00 am- 11:30 am Where: CTGR – Community Service Center 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Who: Parents and caregivers of children under 5 years. *We accept most insurance, including the Why: Come to play, have a snack and have fun! Shasta tribal plan in addition to cash patients. AVAILABLE TREATMENTS: -spinal & extremity adjustments -soft tissue massage -trigger point therapy -hot packs -therapeutic ultrasound -electric muscle stimulation -therapeutic exercises Dr. Ashley Nunley, DC is a Grand Ronde tribal member providing chiropractic care at: Grand Ronde Health & Wellness: 9-5 every Mon & Wed Portland Satellite OfÞce: 9-5 every Tuesday
