E. Coli found in posh California town’s drinking water supply, home to state’s priciest restaurants.
Urgent action has been taken in the Town of Yountville as a Mandatory Boil Water Notice has been issued due to recent sample results revealing a positive E. coli notification from the California Veterans Home Water Plant Water System (Rector Reservoir Treatment Plant).
This development, which unfolded on October 20, 2023, has prompted a response from the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, the Napa County Health Department, the California Veterans Home Water Plant Water System, and the Town of Yountville Water System.
Residents of Yountville are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution when using tap water for drinking and cooking purposes.
To mitigate the risk of stomach or intestinal illness, the community is urged to exclusively use boiled tap water or bottled water for these essential activities. This precautionary measure applies to all Town of Yountville Water Customers.
The authorities are actively monitoring the situation and will promptly inform the public when tests confirm that the water is safe to drink, and the boil water advisory can be lifted.
Officials aim to resolve the problem by October 24, 2023.
While this advisory pertains specifically to drinking and food preparation, residents are encouraged to seek further guidance on other uses of tap water, such as bathing and dishwashing, by consulting the provided resource: CDC Guidance.
The primary instructions for those under the boil water advisory are as follows:
- Boil all water for one minute (a rolling boil).
- Allow the boiled water to cool before drinking or using for cooking.
- Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.
- Boiling water effectively kills bacteria and other potentially harmful organisms present in the water.
In cases where boiling water is not possible, alternative disinfection methods can be utilized:
- For clear water, add 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of household unscented liquid bleach to 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 and allow the water to stand for 30 minutes before use. The water may taste or smell like chlorine, indicating successful disinfection.
- Water disinfection tablets should be used following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Residents with health concerns or those worried about their family members’ well-being are urged to contact their healthcare provider or reach out to the Napa County Health Department for more information.
