Residents in a swath of Malibu remained under orders Thursday to use only boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking, but authorities said normal water service is expected to be restored by Friday.
The boil water notice, which followed a recent pressure dip caused by a bridge-replacement project, came from Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29. It was issued Wednesday for customers west of Corral Canyon and Solstice Canyon roads, with the exception of those at Trancas Canyon and Latigo Canyon.
According to the city of Malibu, the issue stemmed from a recent low-pressure event in the water system caused by a Caltrans bridge replacement project at Solstice Canyon Creek. Caltrans officials said that while the agency was working on the bridge, a Waterworks water main was temporarily disconnected.
“Reconnection took longer than anticipated due to unforeseen concrete covering the water line, resulting in delayed disruption of water supply to approximately 2,800 customers,” according to Caltrans.
The repair work to the line was completed at noon Wednesday, and Waterworks crews were “working to restore full water service as quickly and safely as possible,” according to Caltrans, which said service is expected to be fully restored by Friday.
Meanwhile, customers were advised to boil tap water or use bottled water “to avoid stomach or intestinal illness.”
“Please do not ingest the tap water or provide it to your pets/livestock until it is safe to do so,” city officials advised.
Residents will be notified when the water is again safe to ingest.
Bottled water is being distributed to affected customers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Malibu Public Library, 23519 Civic Center Way, and the Malibu Boys and Girls Club, 30215 Morning View Drive.