The City of Santa Rosa Water Department has issued notices to customers in select areas advising them to stop drinking tap water due to recent damage to the water system resulting from the fires.
A total of 13 homes in Fountaingrove received the advisory notice after slightly elevated levels of contaminants were detected in two isolated areas. The Department advised residents in these areas to not use the tap water for drinking and cooking until further notice.
Since the wildfires, the Water Department has increased water sampling beyond required regulations to closely monitor the integrity of the water system and ensure high-quality drinking water for residents. The enhanced sampling identified the contamination, and confirmed that the contamination is isolated to two specific areas of Fountaingrove only. To address the contaminations, Santa Rosa Water is flushing clean water through the system.
Those in the impacted area received the following recommendations:
- Do not drink your tap water – use only bottled water. Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice and food preparation until further notice.
- Do not try and treat the water yourself. Because of the nature of the water contamination, boiling or disinfecting your water will not make it safe to drink.
When the advisory is lifted, properties in the affected areas will be individually notified, and a media notification will also be issued.