The National Guard Is Handing Out Drinking Water at a Bowling Alley and a Chevy Dealership as Algae Bloom Continues to Grip Oregon’s Capital

Gov. Kate Brown yesterday declared Salem to be in a state of emergency.

Via Oregon Office of Emergency Management's Twitter.

The Oregon National Guard rolled into Oregon's state capital with massive water distribution tanks last night to alleviate the city's drinking water crisis.

Since Tuesday, there has been a "do not drink" tap water advisory in place for vulnerable residents—children, elderly, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and pets—due to cyanotoxins in Detroit Reservoir, the city's drinking supply.

Related: Bottled Water Is Selling for Nearly 50 Bucks a Case After a Panic in Oregon's Capital City

Bottled water reportedly sold out of local stores hours after the advisory went out, with at least one convenience store selling cases for $47 a pop.

The situation prompted Gov. Kate Brown to declare Salem in a state of emergency yesterday, and for Ellen Rosenblum to issue a consumer alert against price gouging. (Disclosure: Rosenblum is married to Richard Meeker, the co-owner of WW's parent company.)

According to today's release from Marion County, water distribution sites will be open in various city parks—Wallace Marine, Bush's Pasture and Woodmansee—and the state fairgrounds. There will also be tanks set up at Chemeketa Community College, AMF Firebird Lanes, and the former Chevrolet dealership.

"The sites will operate around the clock until further notice," the statement reads, adding that residents must bring their own containers and are limited to five gallons of water per vehicle.

The city is actively testing water samples for toxins, and a tap water advisory is currently still in place. Salem officials told The Oregonian today that they are waiting for two consecutive days of clean water test results before lifting the advisory.

Residents in neighboring Wilsonville are also warned that a "do not drink" alert could be forthcoming, as traces of cyanotoxins were detected in city tap water today. City officials say they have not yet determined if the toxin level is high enough to issue an advisory.

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.