Oregon: A city of Portland, Oregon is draining 38 million gallons (143 million liters) of drinking water down the drain after a 19-year old teenager was caught on camera urinated in an open reservoir, city water officials said.
The water — enough to fill nearly 60 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to reports — will be discarded despite tests finding no evidence of contamination.
David Shaff, Portland Water Bureau Administrator, said about 38 million gallons will be discarded and replaced with fresh water from the Bull Run water supply — even though subsequent tests showed no contamination.
“Any time there is human contamination of our drinking water, as a precaution we shut the reservoir down and begin to drain and clean it,” he added.
The open reservoirs hold water that’s already been treated and goes directly into mains for distribution to customers.
Shaff said that the urine cause little risk despite animals routinely deposit waste without creating a public health crisis but he not wanted to serve water that was deliberately contaminated.
But the decision raised eyebrows further south down the US West Coast, where California is suffering from its worst drought in decades.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription