Poway remained under a boil-water advisory Thursday as the city continued to test its water and surrounding public works agencies pitched in to help.
“The end to the precautionary boil-water advisory is the city’s top priority,” the city told residents. “Any future corrective actions that the state may require will not impact the steps the city is taking now.”
The city said repeated tests show the water is safe to drink and it is now waiting for the State Water Resources Control Board to confirm that fact.
The advisory was issued at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday after a day of reports of discolored water. The County of San Diego separately ordered restaurants and produce shelves to be closed.
A number of restaurants are working around the problem by serving food that does not require water for preparation and by using boiled water to wash dishes.
The problem was traced to rain contamination of the system’s “clearwell,” a large reservoir at the city’s water treatment facility.
“The affected section of the clearwell reservoir was disinfected and refilled on Tuesday,” the city said, adding that future corrective work may be necessary at the 1960s-era facility.
Crews from 10 water agencies were in Poway on Thursday to provide assistance to the city of 50,000.
Meanwhile, bottled water will continue to be distributed to residents at both Lake Poway and City Hall from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
