Since the beginning of the weekend, the residents of Levens have been deprived of drinking water.
The population affected by the incident, just shy of a thousand people, was notified via a phone message not to consume their tap water for a few days. The cause? A crack that appeared in the tank used for lifting water from the Polonia plant to the town’s upper reservoir. “Repairs are underway, but it will be several days before we can be certain that the tap water is safe to drink,” states Antoine Véran, the mayor of Levens, although the first tests conducted Monday morning were reassuring.
The announcement has had somewhat disproportionate repercussions in this usually peaceful village. Dozens of people rushed to supermarkets in search of mineral water. Still water, sparkling water, and even sodas – everything drinkable was taken by a worried population. Others went to Nice solely to supplement their water supplies. The potable water distribution points set up at the town hall square and the fire station were also raided, some leaving with several packs under their arms…
“The reaction of some is excessive,” reports this young resident, clearly frustrated by the upheaval. “Some called the firefighters several times to ask if they could shower or brush their teeth. We need to put things into perspective; the water might not be one hundred percent pure, but in a day or two, things will return to normal…”
Furthermore, a pipeline bypassing the faulty tank and treatment with chlorine were set up as early as Sunday afternoon. The final results of the tests should be known by the end of the week.
Nicolas Pelazza
