Residents of Saint-Maximin are facing a serious public health concern as local officials announced on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, the tap water within the city is no longer safe for consumption. Mayor Alain Decanis detailed the gravity of the situation, referring to it as a "consequential problem" at the local water sourcing facility, known as les Sceaux.
The problem arose due to significant increases in turbidity levels within the water supply, rendering it impossible to treat the water sufficiently for safe consumption. The Régie des eaux en Provence verte (REPV), the authority responsible for managing the water supply, clarified the situation stating, "the tap water should not be consumed, used for brushing teeth, or any cooking." While the water remains usable for other purposes, such as washing, the notice has raised concerns across the city.
To mitigate the crisis, officials have taken immediate steps, including the addition of excessive chlorine to the water supply, which serves as both a treatment method and warning for residents. The strong chlorine odor now serves as an indicator of the water’s non-potable status, alerting consumers to avoid using it.
During the announcement, Mayor Decanis confirmed plans to distribute bottled water to the concerned residents. This distribution was set for Tuesday evening, from 5 PM to 8 PM, at the municipal technical services located at 89 chemin de Saint-Simon. The authorities made around 22,000 bottles of mineral water available for those affected.
It is noteworthy, according to reports, residents connected to the Deffends basin are still receiving safe drinking water from the Canal de Provence, meaning not everyone is impacted by this troubling situation. For those who are, the bottled water distribution ensured they have viable drinking options during this disruption.
The mayor has emphasized the urgency of the problem and is directly overseeing responses on-site at the les Sceaux capturing facility, having discovered during recent audits the age and condition of equipment at the site warranted significant attention. The audit highlighted the need for upgrades as the existing facilities were deemed aging and inadequate for proper water treatment capabilities.
While efforts for secure water supply alternatives are being put forth, the duration of the tap water ban is still uncertain. Mayor Decanis indicated the need for caution, stating, "For the moment, it is impossible to say how long the outage will last," as officials fully assess and respond to the situation.
This contamination issue underlines the significance of municipal water management and the challenges involved when such unforeseen problems arise. Residents have been urged to stay informed on the latest developments concerning water safety and to heed the warnings until the situation is resolved. The REPV remains committed to ensuring access to healthy water and will continue to monitor the water quality as recovery efforts take place.
These events have sparked discussions among residents concerning long-term water safety strategies and the need for modernizing infrastructure to prevent future occurrences of such public health threats. The city remains focused on resolving the contamination issue quickly and efficiently to restore confidence among its residents. Meanwhile, the community's prompt response and solidarity during this troubling time reflect the collective effort required to navigate emergency public health situations.