DNR says Edgewood water tests were falsified

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said for the last three-and-a-half years, Scott Harris wasn't doing his job, as the person responsible for testing the city's water supply.

The DNR started investigating after several citizen complaints about the declining quality of the water.

The DNR said according to purchase records, Harris only bought enough material for 100 chlorine tests, but he sent in almost 3,889 results, covering the time from January 2006, to July 2009.

“There was some major problems,” said Joe Sanfilippo with the DNR's Manchester field office.

Chlorine is added to water to kill any bacteria, said Sanfilippo. Without that chlorine, any bacteria could live in the system and make people sick.

Not only were the tests falsified, the DNR also said Harris didn't add enough of the chemicals either. The DNR said during its investigation that only once did the chlorine residual levels meet or exceed the state standard of 1.5 mg/l.

Not everyone knew about the problems while they were happening. And no one reported getting sick from the water. When some people in town were told, they were livid.

“I especially think of all the kids who are drinking the water, and that's just not good,” said Carmen Payne.

Sanfilippo said they found similar issues regarding fluoride and manganese.

On the day the DNR told the city what had happened, the DNR said Harris resigned. Mayor James Stone told TV9 that Harris told him he didn't have enough time to monitor the water.

“How can you do that? That doesn't take that much time to check the water,” said Payne.

Currently, the city is working to stabilize the system. Sanfilippo said the water is safe to drink.

Harris was licensed in water testing, according to Stone.

Sanfilippo said they would have caught this during a routine check on the water system. But, Sanfilippo said they are already short staff members - meaning those routine tests happen only every four or five years.

“If we had come here to do a routine inspection, without any complaints from the public, we would have caught it,” said Sanfilippo.

The DNR is working the Attorneys General office in Des Moines. Sanfilippo said they haven't decided on if charges will be filed against Harris, but did say any charges could be severe.

The DNR also advised the city to consider changing the locks at the water treatment plant, the shop and at city hall.

Harris was not home when KCRG-TV9 stopped by for comment.

Justin Foss / KCRG-TV9