UPDATE: September 4, 2025 at 9:22 a.m.
The boil water advisory issued by the City of Ephrata has been lifted. The city said in a press release that it is safe to drink water from the city water system.
“The City of Ephrata is pleased to share that the certified laboratory in Pasco has confirmed that all water samples collected throughout town have come back safe and clean,” the city wrote on social media. “As a result, the boil water advisory is lifted effective immediately.”
“Users may need to let their water run to flush out any remaining sediment or chlorine residuals if their system has been unused or lightly used,” the city wrote.
UPDATE: September 3, 2025 at 4:48 p.m.
Repair crews have fixed the broken water line in Ephrata, and service has been restored, the city said. However, a boil water advisory remains in effect.
According to the City of Ephrata, water samples collected throughout the community were delivered Tuesday to a state-certified laboratory in Pasco.
The city said it expects test results Thursday to determine whether bacteria are present in the system.
The boil water advisory will remain in effect until those results are returned.
UPDATE: September 2, 2025 at 6:14 p.m.
Repairs to the water line leak are now underway, as crews have obtained the necessary parts, according to the City of Ephrata.
Officials added that the system has been chlorinated and flushed, after water samples were collected from multiple locations around town for lab testing. The test results are expected by Thursday, at which time, if the results are negative for contaminents, the boil water advisory will be lifted. If the results are positive, crews will once again chlorinate, flush and take samples from the water system.
City officials also reported that some discoloration may be visible in residents’ water, however, they assured the public that the discoloration is a normal result of pressure changes raising sediment in the water lines.
UPDATE: September 2, 2025 at 11:03 a.m.
The City of Ephrata released an update on the water boil advisory, confirming in a press release that a leak in a water line prompted the precautionary advisory.
Crews discovered the leak in a water line at the bottom of the southwest hill early Monday morning, the city said.
State law requires a water boil advisory anytime negative pressure is detected in the water system, who occurred because of the location of the leak, the city said.
The city is hoping to lift the advisory by late Thursday, pending water testing results.
EPHRATA, Wash. – A city-wide water boil advisory has been issued in Ephrata until further notice. The city said in a press release that the advisory is precautionary, yet still urged residents not to drink any water that hasn’t been boiled first.
“Bring all water to a rolling boil for one minute and let it cool before using,” the release said.
“Boiled tap water or purchased bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation until further notice.”
Crews will begin isolating a leaking water line before the system is flushed and re-tested.
The city said a full explanation will be shared once the system returns to its normal operations.
Article originally published September 1, 2025 at 9:28 a.m.
