PORT ANGELES — Clallam County’s health officer warned that shutting off water to Public Utility District customers could expose the water system to bacteriological contamination.
Dr. Tom Locke, speaking to the county commissioners Tuesday, said if the city of Port Angeles were to shut off water to Public Utility District customers east of the city, as threatened, water lines would be depressurized.
“No pipe is leak proof,” Locke said.
“So there is always the potential that if the pressure is lost, then the surface water or groundwater can be pulled into the pipe. Even more extreme is the vacuum effect that that would take place.”
