Golden State Water Company issued a boil water notice for residents in the areas impacted by the water shutoff Tuesday to kill bacteria and other organisms that may currently be in the city’s tap water.

The company warns that failure to follow the advisory could result in stomach or intestinal illness. Due to a temporary loss of water pressure to 2,000 customers in the Claremont system, the State Water Quality Control Board Division of Drinking Water and GSW advise residents north of Miramar Avenue to northern city limits to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking as a safety precaution.

The specific areas in the boil water notice, as directed by Ben Lewis, general manager of Golden State Water’s Foothill district are:

“1) Primarily north of Miramar Avenue, to the northern city limits of Claremont and east of Indian Hill to the city limits.

2) South of the 210 freeway, north of Foothill, east of Stowe Court, west of Monte Vista and west of Corporate Center.”

Instructions are to bring tap water to a full boil, let it boil for one minute, then let it cool before using. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking and food preparation until further notice.

An alternative method of disinfection for residents who are not able to boil water is to use fresh, unscented, liquid household bleach. Add eight drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon to clear tap water or 16 drops (or 1/4 teaspoon) per gallon to cloudy water. Thoroughly mix the bleach in the water and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before drinking or cooking. A chlorine-like taste and odor will result from the bleach procedure but that is a sign that adequate disinfection has taken place.

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

Since Tuesday, Golden State has delivered bottled water to a number of homes and businesses in the impacted area.

GSW said it will inform residents when tests show that water is safe to drink.  

For information, call Golden State Water Company Customer Service at (800) 999-4033.

—Kathryn Dunn

editor@claremont-courier.com