[UPDATE 6:40 p.m.] Humboldt CSD Drinking Water System BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

[Stock image by Nicole-Koehler via Wikimedia Commons]

Dear Valued Ratepayers:

On the evening of March 20, 2024, the City of Eureka experienced a water transmission main break near Indianola Road and Old Arcata Road. Humboldt Community Services District purchases water from the City of Eureka that is delivered through this transmission main. As a result of the transmission main failure, Humboldt Community Services District was notified at 1pm on March 21, 2023 that some cloudy water may have been delivered to the Humboldt Community Services District system. The cloudy water could contain mineral deposits from the inside of the pipe or it might include soil from the area where the transmission main break occurred. The potentially affected areas include Mitchel Road, Myrtletown, Ryan Slough and Freshwater.

The Humboldt Community Services District has issued the enclosed Boil Water Advisory out of an abundance of caution because we want to ensure your health and wellbeing. We have been testing our water quality and flushing the affected areas. We have found no evidence of contaminated water within our system. We will continue to monitor and test our water quality for the next three days. If we discover any contamination, we will be reaching out to notify you. If we do not encounter any contaminated water, we will be reaching out to lift the Boil Water Advisory.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience, 

Brian McNeil!

BOIL WATER ADVISORY

Este informe contiene información muy importante sobre su agua potable.

Tradúzcalo o hable con alguien que lo entienda bien.

Humboldt CSD Drinking Water System BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING

Failure to follow this advisory could result in stomach or intestinal illness.

Due to the water main break, depressurization, and possible contamination in the Humboldt CSD Drinking Water System, customers of the Humboldt CSD Drinking Water System in the Myrtletown, Mitchell Road, Ryan Slough and Freshwater areas are hereby advised to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution until further notice.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling 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. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Optional alternative to include for prolonged situations where it fits.

• An alternative method of purification for residents that do not have gas or electricity available is to use fresh liquid household bleach (Clorox, Purex, etc.). To do so, add 8 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of clear water or 16 drops (or 1/2 teaspoon) per gallon of cloudy water, mix thoroughly, and allow to stand for 30 minutes before using. A chlorine-like taste and odor will result from this purification procedure and is an indication that adequate disinfection has taken place.

• Water purification tablets may also be used by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

We will inform you when testing shows the water is safe to drink. We anticipate resolving the problem within Three Days.

For more information call:

Water Utility contact: Brian McNeill, Utility Services Planner (707) 443-4550

State Water Resources Control Board – Drinking Water Field Operations Branch- District Office at

(530) 224-4800.

Local Environmental Health Jurisdiction:

Humboldt County Environmental Health Dept. (707) 445-6215

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

UPDATE 6:40 p.m.: Eureka City Manager sent out the following,

The City of Eureka would like to clarify for the public that a boil water advisory is not in effect for any areas in the City of Eureka or those served directly from the Mad River Pipeline. The City did have a break in the pipeline, however the pressure in the line did not allow for contaminants to enter the water delivery system. There has been slightly elevated turbidity noticed in the water, due to increased flows that caused minerals within the pipes to dislodge.

Safe drinking water is of the utmost importance and the City of Eureka wants to assure the public that the water provided to customers is high quality and safe. We continue to monitor the water distribution system and will update the public if conditions warrant it.

UPDATE: Humboldt Community Services District Cancels Boil Water Advisory