Water boiling mandate persists in Malibu due to bridge construction hold-ups, delaying residents' access to unfiltered water
Residents in parts of Malibu are still under a boil water notice as repairs and testing continue, following a low-pressure event and water main disruption caused by Caltrans bridge construction at Solstice Canyon Creek.
The boil water notice, issued on Tuesday, affects residents west of Corral Canyon Road and Solstice Canyon Road, excluding Trancas Canyon and Latigo Canyon areas. The order was issued by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in collaboration with the California Department of Transportation and Los Angeles County Waterworks.
The boil water notice advises residents to boil water for at least one minute before drinking or using to avoid potential stomach or intestinal illness. Free bottled water distribution is ongoing at the Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29 headquarters and at two Malibu locations from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with the initial distribution extended until 8 p.m. on August 6.
Crews finished repairs on Wednesday at noon, and are now working on re-pressurizing and testing the water line for any pathogens or contaminants. The agencies expect the boil water notice to continue at least through Friday, August 8, as water testing and safety confirmation are still underway. The order will be lifted only after tests confirm the water is safe to drink.
Meanwhile, the boil water order in the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch area does not mention the distribution of bottled water. Residents in this area experienced a water service outage on Tuesday, but no further updates on the lifting of the boil order have been confirmed as of now.
The outage in Granada Hills and Porter Ranch affected thousands of residents and occurred during repairs at a pump station that connects to a 10 million-gallon water tank. A temporary disruption of a water main occurred during bridge construction, causing the low-pressure event in Malibu. Concrete unexpectedly blocked the water line, causing a delay in water supply restoration.
Residents are advised to check for updates via official Los Angeles County Waterworks or Malibu city channels. It is crucial to follow the boil water notice until further notice to ensure the safety of drinking water.
[1] Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 29 website [2] Malibu city website [3] Los Angeles Department of Water and Power press release [4] California Department of Transportation press release [5] Los Angeles Times article on the water outage in Malibu and Granada Hills
- In light of the disturbance in water supply due to Caltrans bridge construction, the transportation department might consider implementing alternative transportation methods to allow residents in affected areas, like Malibu, to access safe drinking water or free bottled water distribution sites.
- To reduce the environmental impact of increased vehicle usage due to the boil water notice and transportation alternatives, residents could be encouraged to utilize public transportation options, carpool, or walk, promoting health-and-wellness and a conscious approach to science and the environment.
- Following the continuous boil water notice in Malibu, leaders could discuss potential laws to ensure drinking water safety and emergency preparedness, collaborating with public health agencies to protect citizens from potential medical-conditions associated with contaminated water.
- Medical professionals specializing in conditions related to water quality could release public statements stressing the importance of following boil water notices, as inadequate access to safe drinking water can lead to severe health problems for vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
