A Tuesday night break-in at a St. Paul Regional Water Services holding tank in West St. Paul led authorities to isolate the reservoir from the rest of the system, but testing came back all-clear, according to the water utility.

West St. Paul officers responded to a report of a break-in at the holding tank on Imperial Drive about 10 p.m. and saw people running away. Neighboring departments assisted with drone and helicopter searches, and officers apprehended multiple juveniles and young adults, according to West St. Paul police. The department said they are pursuing charges against them.

“Upon discovering a lid to the reservoir was vandalized, officers immediately contacted St. Paul Regional Water Services,” police wrote on social media. “… While there is no reason to believe the intent of the suspects was to tamper with the water supply,” authorities “treat any call to water supply infrastructure with the utmost importance.”

The hatch had been forced open and St. Paul Regional Water Services took the step of separating the reservoir from the rest of the distribution system as a precaution. Some properties in West St. Paul may have experienced decreased water pressure.

“These types of incidents are treated very seriously as they have the potential to involve purposeful contamination and affect water safety,” Racquel Vaske, St. Paul Regional Water Services general manager, said in a Wednesday statement. “We’ve treated this matter with the utmost urgency and care to ensure the continued safety of our community. Our team worked through the night alongside the Minnesota Department of Health to evaluate the reservoir and collect water samples.”

Tests by the state Health Department came back negative for drinking water quality concerns, and the reservoir was placed back into service on Wednesday afternoon.

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