Rumors that dead animals were in an old Warner water tower when it was put back into public service are baseless, Water Superintendent Brian Toney said Monday.

Some residents living near the tank didn’t know it was back in service until they noticed a sweat line on the tank after it had been in use about five months, Toney said.

They feared animals had entered the tank via an open manhole before the late October filling and contaminated the tank, Toney said.

The manhole was on the side of the tank and not at ground level, Toney said.

“There were no dead animals in the tank” when it was put back into service,” he said.

There probably was dust in it, but he inspected the inside and found no piles of dirt or anything else, he said. It had set empty for two or three years, Toney said.

The water put into that tank was treated and then tested, he said. There were no coliforms nor organisms found, he said.

But rumors have citizens worrying about the possibility of tainted water, Toney said.

“I’ve lived here 17 years, have friends and family who live here,” Toney said. “I’d be the first one to turn the valve off — I’m not going to let anyone drink contaminated water.”

Test results of monthly Warner water samples from January through April reflect the same wording:

“No coliform organisms, fecal coliforms, or E coli organisms were found in this sample. Therefore, the water is considered to be bacteriologically safe for human consumption.”

The reports are from the testing facility, Tulsa City-County Health Department Environmental Health Services Laboratory.

Test records reflect the samples taken were from two approved sites each month. There are six state-approved sites from which Warner water samples are to be taken, Toney said.

In the 17 years he’s been working at the Warner Water Plant, Toney said the town’s water has never tested such that a boil order had to be issued.

Toney said any resident wishing more knowledge about the Warner water system, testing and the history of test results are welcome to talk to him.