BOIL WATER NOTICE BELOW

Five Cities Residents Advised to Boil Water After Contaminants Found in Water Samples

Five Cities Residents Advised to Boil Water After Contaminants Found in Water Samples

Author: Public Works
Date: 4/30/2025 5:05 PM

FIVE CITIES- Residents in Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach and San Miguelito Water Company (Zone 3) are instructed to boil water before drinking after presence of bacteria was found in the drinking water distribution system. The boil notice is expected to remain in effect through the weekend.

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department and Zone 3 agencies conduct routine tests to proactively catch situations that can adversely affect drinking water. During normal sampling efforts, the Public Works Department discovered repeated positive samples that fail to meet bacterial sampling requirements, resulting in a Tier 1 violation per California State Water Resources Control Board.

Zone 3 drinking water participants have been notified and instructed to inform their customers.  The County Office of Emergency Services will also be using reverse 911 to notify individuals in the Zone 3 area.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first

• Boil all water for one (1) minute (rolling boil).
• Let water cool before drinking.
• Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.
• Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

If you are unable to boil your water:
Household unscented liquid bleach

• For clear water, use 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach for 1 gallon of water. For cloudy water, filter through a clean cloth and use 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach for 1 gallon of water.
• Mix well. Allow to stand for 30 minutes before using.
• Water may taste or smell like chlorine. This means disinfection has occurred.

Staff continues to assess equipment and processes to identify the contributing cause.

Cal Rural Water Association (CRWA) SPOTLIGHT 04/03/2025