Computer Flaw Makes Water Undrinkable
- Event Year
- 1998
- Reliability
- Likely But Unconfirmed
- Country
- United States
- Industry
- Water/Waste Water
Description
A computer glitch shut down the chlorination system and caused the chlorine content of the city water to drop below the safety threshold, affecting 40,000 residents.
Impact
This occurred during the night and was not discovered until a routine check 14 hours later. Notices were then sent out to 9,000 homes advising people ‘to boil the water before drinking.’