Park says Crater Lake water safe but Oregon issues health warning
The Times-Standard
Eureka, California
July 31, 1975
(UPI)
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The Oregon Slate Health Division has issued a warning about drinking water
here hours after park officials announced the water supply was again safe and
Crater Lake National Park, closed since July 11 because of a contaminated
supply, would reopen Friday.
"The authority to reopen Crater Lake Park rests entirely with the National
Park Service and the federal government," said Division Administrator Bob
Oliver. "However, the State Health Division is concerned about 'public use
of Munson Springs water for drinking purposes even though it is to be treated by
a filtration system."
Park Superintendent Richard Sims, in announcing the reopening Wednesday, had
said the decision was made after a meeting involving representatives of the Park
Service, U.S. Public Health Service, Oregon Health Division and Environmental
Protection Agency in which it was agreed the drinking water supply was safe.
Sims said extensive laboratory tests over the past several days indicate the
drinking water is safe at all outlets in the system. The entire system fed by
the contaminated Munson Springs has been decontaminated, he said.
Oliver said the Division has assurances from the Park Service that there will
be daily monitoring of the spring's water, plus weekly laboratory tests, until
another source of supply can be piped to the park headquarters and rim area. He
estimated it will lake 18 months to two years to pipe water from Annie Springs,
more than three miles from the rim area.
Sims, in announcing the reopening, said Crater Lake Lodge and one campground
will remain closed, because of limited water supplies. He said weekend visitors
will be asked to conserve water as much as possible.
Three mobile Army water treatment plants remain in operation and a
semi-permanent unit purchased by the Park Service is being installed. Sims said
until the new unit is ready to use, water, supplies in the park will be limited.
