On February 10, Ishikawa Prefecture announced that the Tsuruai Water Purification Plant in Hakusan City has detected oil contamination in the Tedorigawa River, leading to a temporary suspension of water supply to 13 municipalities including Kanazawa City, Nanao City, and Uchinada Town. The contamination was discovered around 1 PM when oil was detected at a water quality measurement point about two kilometers from the purification facility. As a precaution, the supply was suspended at 7 PM the same day, although it has been confirmed that the water stored in the distribution reservoir was not affected, preventing any water outages for the residents.

The purification process successfully eliminated the detected oil, and the water supply was slated to resume around 11:30 PM that night. Investigations are ongoing to determine the precise cause of the contamination, with officials emphasizing that only clean water was supplied and that no contaminated water reached the consumers. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in water supply systems and the importance of quick response measures when contamination is detected, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of water sources.

This incident may raise concerns among residents regarding the reliability of their drinking water supply, as well as the potential environmental impacts stemming from oil spills. Local authorities are expected to enhance their oversight and response capabilities to address such issues in the future and prevent similar occurrences. The timely response in restoring the water supply showcases the efficiency of the local water management systems in handling emergencies, but it also signals the necessity for further investigation and prevention strategies to safeguard water quality in Ishikawa Prefecture.