The devastating Southern California wildfires have raised worries about the safety of the water supply in several communities, whether because of diminished water pressure or the possibility of contamination by fire debris.
Here are some of the water advisories and instructions for residents:
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Altadena: The Lincoln Avenue Water Company told customers not to use tap water and not to try to treat water themselves. Instead, they should use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking and bathing. Las Flores Water Company and the Rubio Cañon Land and Water Association issued similar advisories to their customers.
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Malibu: The Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29 told customers to use only bottled or boiled tap water for drinking. The advisory covers customers in the neighborhoods of Sunset Mesa, Big Rock and Carbon Mesa. Areas of Topanga Canyon more than a mile from the beach are not included.
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Pacific Palisades: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power issued a boil water notice on Wednesday and said it would be in effect for at least 48 hours while testing was carried out to determine whether the water was safe to drink and cook with. The advisory covers customers in Pacific Palisades and adjacent communities north of San Vicente Boulevard.
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Pasadena: The city northeast of downtown Los Angeles issued an alert not to drink tap water in certain parts of Pasadena Water and Power’s service area. People should use bottled water for drinking, preparing food and washing dishes, it said, and it posted a map of affected areas.
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Near Angeles National Forest: Kinneloa Irrigation District, which serves customers mostly living in hillside and canyon areas north of Altadena, told customers not to use tap water for drinking or cooking, not to boil or otherwise try to treat water themselves and to use bottled water instead. It urged customers to limit their use of hot water and to use water in ventilated areas.
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San Fernando Valley: Residents returning home after evacuation orders were lifted for the Hurst fire should not drink tap water until the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says it is safe, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
