UPDATE 4:45 P.M. FRIDAY: 

On March 21, 2024, you were notified of the need to boil/disinfect all tap water used for drinking and cooking purposes. The Humboldt Community Services District Public Water System in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board, has determined that, through abatement of the health hazard and comprehensive testing of the water, your water is safe to drink. It is no longer necessary to boil your tap water or for you to consume bottled water.

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Original post:

Whoops! Looks like some funky stuff may have gotten into the water pipes in the Mitchell Road, Myrtletown, Ryan Slough and Freshwater neighborhoods served by the Humboldt Community Services District.

The district just send out the following letter to its customers:

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 McNeill

Utility Services Planner

BOIL WATER NOTICE

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