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OK to Shower and Flush, but Don't Drink the Water
3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28
Special Edition
Ramona-Firestorm
2007
By Ruth Lepper
San Diego County Department of Health has declared Ramona water safe enough
to shower, wash clothes and flush the toilet. But warnings are still in effect
for human consumption.
"You can use water for outdoor use, bathing and
washing hands," said Shannon Reed, spokeswoman for County Water Authority. "'Do
Not Drink' is still in effect. Do not consume the water. Bottled water should be
used for brushing teeth, washing dishes and washing hands."
Bottled water
also should be used for food preparations, whether it is for washing the food or
using it in cooking. That includes making coffee or tea.
Health
department officials conducted water tests on Sunday and should have results
within 24 to 48 hours. A test done on Saturday came back as safe, Reed
said.
Water meters, turned off at the 10,000 Ramona Municipal Water
District customers on Friday, were turned back on by Saturday
afternoon.
Automated telephone calls were made to the water district
customers, some reporting the call coming through as late as 1 a.m.
Sunday.
"They felt there was a need to get this notice out that the
Department of Health issued this statement that (the water) is not safe for
human consumption," said John Liarakos, another CWA spokesman.
"Officially, there is nothing wrong with the water," Liarakos continued.
"But because of the way the system was recharged and re-pressurized, there are
state and county requirements they must go through two bacterial tests... They
have to make sure there's nothing wrong with the water."
The water has to
clear two consecutive tests within a 48-hour period before the health department
will lift the ban on water consumption.
Mutual aid requested on Thursday
from other water districts in the county resulted in crews assisting local
employees in turning off, and then back on, the water meters.
"Other
people from other agencies are offering to help with water testing," Reed
said.
Assistance came from the Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal
Water, Vallecitos Water District, Sweetwater Authority and City of San Diego
Water Department.
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