SAN DIEGO COUNTY (KGTV) — The boil water advisory impacting several of San Diego's South Bay communities has been lifted, according to California American Water Company.
The company made the announcement that the advisory was over at 4:55 p.m.
More than 100,000 people were under the advisory, and 300 businesses, including several restaurants, were impacted too.
The affected areas included Imperial Beach, Silver Strand south of Fiddler's Cover, and portions of San Diego, Chula Vista and Otay Mesa.
"We are pleased to report that the problem has been corrected and that it is no longer necessary to boil your water before using. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience," the company's announcement said.
San Diego County's Emergency Operations Center also confirmed Saturday that the advisory has been lifted.
"We are pleased to report that the problem has been corrected and that it is no longer necessary to boil your water before using," the company's announcement said. "We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience."
San Diego County's Emergency Operations Center also confirmed Saturday that the advisory has been lifted.
"After extensive water testing, Cal-Am and the State Water Resources Control Board's Division of Drinking Water determined Saturday afternoon, the water is now safe to drink. Cal-Am says affected customers no longer have to boil their water or drink bottled water," the county said.
The cause of the E. coli contamination is still under investigation.
See ABC 10News' previous reporting on this story below. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Boil Water Advisory first issued Thursday for residents in the Silver Strand area of Coronado and Imperial Beach, and later expanded to include parts of San Diego's South Bay, remained in effect Friday.
The advisory affects customers who reside in the city of Imperial Beach, Coronado, south of Fiddlers Cove, and portions of San Diego and Chula Vista. Friday afternoon, San Diego County sent an alert saying customers in the Nestor and Otay Mesa West neighborhoods were under the advisory as well.
Saturday morning, the County Emergency Operations Center said the advisory is still in effect pending the results of more tests. The results will be released later Saturday afternoon or evening.
The center says the cause of the situation is still under investigation.
Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, calling on the State of California to take action.
Our ocean water is poisoned, our air is poisoned, and now our drinking water is tainted. It is beyond time to declare the egregious environmental and public health disaster harming communities of color in San Diego a State of Sewage Emergency. Pls help us Governor @GavinNewsom
— Paloma Aguirre (she/her/ella) (@paloma4ib) August 25, 2023
Here are updates on the Boil Water Advisory:
Friday morning, The City of Chula Vista issued a statement acknowledging parts of the map provided by Cal American Water Company showing the areas impacted from the notice were incorrect.
The City of Chula Vista is aware of the Boil Water Advisory issued by the County of San Diego affecting parts of San Diego County, including Imperial Beach and portions of San Diego, Coronado and Chula Vista. The map of affected areas provided by Cal American Water Company mistakenly identified a large portion of Chula Vista. Cal American is working to update the map. Chula Vista residents and businesses impacted were notified directly by Cal American yesterday.
The City will continue to monitor the situation and will be coordinating with the County, State, and California American Water Company on any additional response actions.
Customers of Sweetwater Authority are not impacted.
Chula Vista officials also informed residents that customers of Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District were not affected by the advisory. The city reiterated that Cal American customers were notified of the advisory.
According to the San Diego County Emergency Site, the advisory was issued by the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water, and county officials said, “Affected customers will be contacted directly by Cal American Water Company with additional information.”
Those affected by the advisory can go to California American Water's headquarters in Imperial Beach (1025 Palm Avenue) to pick up one case of water.
Customers can enter their address on https://awgis.amwater.com/CustomerAdvisoryMap to determine if their neighborhood is impacted by the current alert. Customers with questions can call the customer service center at 888-237-1333.
The number of residents affected was estimated to be around 106,000 with 17,000 homes and businesses under a boil water advisory according to information shared during an 11 a.m. press conference by county officials. They also estimated 300 restaurants and food facilities will have to close temporarily.
California American Water customers are also asked to immediately discontinue any non-essential water usage, including all outdoor irrigation.
The county will post a survey on its website for businesses to fill out in the coming days to report possible financial loss due to the temporary closures.
Earlier Thursday afternoon, the county stated the Boil Water Advisory was issued by the Department of Environmental Health and Quality because the drinking water system tested present for E.Coli bacteria.
It remains unclear if the reason for the advisory was due to a positive E.Coli test.
RELATED: What to do during a Boil Water Advisory
The company issued the following statement late Thursday night:
San Diego (August 24, 2023) – California American Water today issued an “Advisory to Boil Water” for customers that reside in the city of Imperil Beach. Coronado customers (south of Fiddlers Cove) and customers in portions of San Diego and Chula Vista due to positive E. Coli results found in the drinking water. The California Division of Drinking Water in conjunction with California American Water, is advising impacted California American Water customers that reside in the above cities to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution.
California American Water customers in Imperial Beach and Coronado (south of Fiddlers Cove) are advised to not drink water without boiling it first. The California Division of Drinking Water recommends bringing all water to a boil, let it boil for three (3) minutes, and let it cool before using, or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. This is the preferred method to assure that the water is safe to drink. Alternatively, you may add eight drops of unscented, household bleach to one gallon of water and let sit for 30 minutes.
California American Water customers are also asked to immediately discontinue any non-essential water usage. This includes all outdoor irrigation.
If customers have any questions, they may call California American Water’s customer service center at 888-237-1333. For updated information, customers can visit California American Water’s website at www.californiaamwater.com, under the Alerts Notifications section.
Please be advised that the company is doing all it can to make sure water is of the highest quality and anticipate resolving the problem within 24-48 hours. California American Water will provide information as to when the advisory is lifted.
AREA SCHOOLS' RESPONSE
Chula Vista Elementary School District officials said five of its schools were affected by the Boil Water Advisory, but those campuses were not closed on Friday.
The schools impacted — Los Altos, Finney, Silver Wing, Juarez-Lincoln, and CVLCC High School — were taking precautions such as turning off water (except for the toilets) and serving food that does not require washing or rinsing prior to consumption.
Additionally, the district said the schools will have water bottles, hand sanitizer, and hand-washing stations for students and school staff.
All schools in the San Ysidro School District, including Ocean View Hills Elementary, were closed Friday due to the Boil Water Advisory, the district announced. The San Ysidro District released a statement later Friday afternoon saying their schools aren't affected by the advisory, and classes will resume Monday.
In light of the advisory, the Sweetwater Union High School District issued the following statement on Thursday:
Dear Students, Families and Staff:
We want to inform you about an important situation that has impacted the Imperial Beach, and limited portions of the San Diego/Coronado areas. We are aware of the Boil Water Advisory issued by the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, and Quality due to water supply concerns in these regions that tests revealed the presence of E. coli in water provided by Cal American Water Company. This advisory includes our school. We want to ensure you that we are taking the necessary precautions and provisions to keep students and staff safe.
We have made the decision to remain open tomorrow, Friday, August 25th as we have taken preventative measures in regards to water supply at our sites. That includes hand washing stations and hand sanitizer placed throughout campus, and the availability of bottled water.
With the Boil Water Advisory issued, please follow the instructions provided by local authorities and take additional precautions to ensure the health and well-being of everyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has additional guidance in both English and Spanish on what individuals can do if they are faced with a boil water advisory.
We continue to closely monitor this situation and have been in contact with health authorities for the County of San Diego, and will continue to provide updates as they are available.
The safety and well-being of our students and families are our top priorities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding regarding this matter.
Thank you.
This is a developing story please check back for updates.
