SNOHOMISH — Several young people were caught after they allegedly broke into a water tower, jumped into the city’s drinking water and then posted a video of it on YouTube.
Police found out once the footage began to circulate online and notified Snohomish officials on Thursday.
For now, the water tank has been disconnected while the city makes sure its contents are safe to drink. Initial testing showed no problems, and another company was hired to check it again, city officials said. Those results were expected back by early next week.
After that, the city plans to drain some of the water and replace it with treated water.
The reservoir is on Terrace Avenue in Snohomish, in a mostly residential neighborhood. The water comes from the city of Everett’s water supply. Some of that city’s water is being tested as a precaution.
Snohomish city administrator Steve Schuller had watched the video, and thought the people in it appeared to be older teenagers.
“They come to the reservoirs in the video, and you see them climbing up it, and one jumps through the hatch and goes, if you want to call it, swimming,” Schuller said.
A statement from the Snohomish Police Department said all of those involved have been identified as juveniles. The case is under investigation.
At least three different security points were breached, including locks that were cut, Schuller said.
By Friday morning, the video was no longer available on YouTube.
Schuller has worked for the city for 11 years, and doesn’t remember this ever happening before.
The idled water tank shouldn’t affect anyone’s supply.
“Only when we feel like everything is in normal ranges will we put everything back online,” Schuller said.
Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.
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