Bennett Ridge water restored

After 12 days of showering at the gym, hauling bottled water from a tanker truck and washing clothes at a coin laundry, residents of the Bennett Ridge neighborhood southeast of Santa Rosa can use their well water.

A series of eight tests conducted Monday showed no detectable pollutants Tuesday afternoon, meaning residents can drink, wash and bathe in the water nearly two weeks after a self-imposed ban, according to the state Department of Health.

"The users can now use their water," Health Department spokeswoman Lea Brooks said.

The problem began Feb. 21 when a resident reported the stench of chemicals in her tap water. It was discovered that one of the two tanks that serve 125 households was refilled too soon after a chemical sealant was used to repair a leak.

The tainted water was then pumped into the second tank and into customers' homes before the problem was detected.

The fate of the once-leaky tank is still unclear. Residents, state health officials and representatives from Bartley Pump Inc., which operates the system for the neighborhood water board, are trying to determine how to clean the affected tank.

"We will advise the water company regarding how best the repair the tank," Brooks said.

-- Kerry Benefield