The field tests weren’t capable of showing how much THC was in the water, but only whether the chemical was there, he said.
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Captain Michael Yowell of the sheriff’s office said there was evidence that the well was tampered with, and that the FBI and Colorado Bureau of Investigation have joined the probe.
Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana in 2014, but neither Hugo nor Lincoln County contain any commercial marijuana operations, the Post reported.
A sample of tap water in the town of Hugo was taken and results indicated the presence of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects.
Later, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department indicated (also via Twitter) that “Health Officials Law Enforcement Officers, and Emergency Managers are all involved in this situation”, and added that bottled water would be arriving soon.
The Hugo well has been sealed and secured, but officials said it will take time for water to flush through the lines.
Investigators noted a company that administers employee drug tests was the first to detect THC in Hugo’s water.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job for my community if we just wrote this off”, Yowell said.
Some have claimed it is impossible for THC to be found in the water, let alone a unsafe level of it. THC is relatively insoluble in water, and therefore would not mix with the water.
There were no reports of any residents experiencing symptoms, but the Colorado department of public health warned of the possibility of “impaired coordination and thinking” if THC-contaminated water was swallowed.
More definitive laboratory tests were underway, he said.
Former mayor, Patsie Smith, jokingly told the Denver Post that she “might have to go drink some water” after the possible THC poisoning was announced.
Some, however, are raising doubts about the contamination, because THC and water don’t mix – a bit like oil and water. Colorado began allowing the sale of recreational marijuana on January 1, 2014.
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The water advisory is now cancelled and all residents can resume using water.
