Thread by @EasternMuni

Due to the #FairviewFire in @hemetgov, the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water, the Riverside County Public Health Department, and EMWD are advising the affected residents of east Hemet to boil tap water or use.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first: Bring all water to a boil, let it boil for one (1) minute, 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.

If you are unable to boil water: Add 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of fresh, unscented, liquid household bleach per gallon of clear water OR 16 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) per gallon of cloudy water. Mix thoroughly and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before using.

A chlorine-like taste and odor will result from this disinfection procedure and is an indication that adequate disinfection has taken place. Water disinfection tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

EMWD will inform customers when tests show that water is safe to drink, and residents no longer need to boil water. It is anticipated that normal water service will resume 48 hours after EMWD crews are granted to access to the area.

If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your health care provider or the Riverside County Public Health Department.

For more information call
EMWD: Water Quality Division, 951-928-3777 ext. 3327
State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water: Chun Huang, 619-525-4775
or
County of Riverside Department of Environmental Health: Michael Mistica, 760-863-7008.

MORE: emwd.org/247-emergency-…

Why issue a Boil Water Advisory? Because of a power outage at one of our water storage tanks in the fire zone. As a result of the power outage, the system in the area lost pressure.

Our crews were able to connect a generator to restore power supply to the tank early this morning and are actively working to repressurize the system.

While a Boil Water Advisory is mandated by the State when a water system depressurizes, we have also issued the advisory out of an abundance of caution because of the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

While we are hopeful that the impacts are solely the result of a system depressurization, a system assessment will be needed to ensure that there is no damage to infrastructure that would impact water quality in the area.

Once the area is deemed safe by CAL FIRE Incident Command, our crews will perform the necessary assessment to determine if there is damage to water supply infrastructure in the area.

As a reminder, this advisory is only in effect for approx. 50 homes along Polly Butte Road and the area east of 41477 Gibbel Road in Hemet.