Safe drinking water was restored to residents of Coronado, Imperial Beach, and nearby areas, as the California American Water Company (Cal-Am) lifted its boil water advisory on August 26, 2023. The advisory affected approximately 106,000 people across more than 17,000 customer accounts due to E. Coli contamination in the water supply, according to County News Center.
As reported in FOX 5 San Diego, Cal-Am initially issued the boil water advisory on Thursday, August 24, 2023, after detecting the presence of E. coli bacteria in the drinking water system. Additionally, certain neighborhoods within the City of San Diego and parts of southwestern Chula Vista were also affected by the advisory.
The cause of the contamination remains under investigation. The utility company and the State Water Resources Control Board conducted extensive water testing before finally giving the all-clear signal and deeming the water safe to drink again.
The advisory had caused considerable disruption, as businesses closed and schools like those in the San Ysidro School District canceled classes on the day following the alert. The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services informed that businesses will not be required to undergo inspection or approval as part of the reopening process, as mentioned in another FOX 5 San Diego article.
Restaurants affected by the water crisis are being offered updated guidance and resources to help them resume operations. The County News Center reports that the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) is working closely with these businesses. No food facility inspection or approval is expected to be needed part of the restaurant reopening process as well.
County Public Health continues to monitor for health-related issues, urging people experiencing gastrointestinal or other symptoms to contact their healthcare providers. Cal-Am released a first notification to its impacted customers that their boil water advisory was lifted, which has also been shared by impacted cities and agencies, giving a sense of relief to the thousands affected by this public health scare.
