On July 26, 2016, California Water Service (Cal Water) issued a do-not-drink advisory for 200 customers in a small portion of Palos Verdes Estates after a small storage tank was found to be compromised. While initial tests results were normal, Cal Water issued the precautionary advisory asking customers to refrain from using water for cooking and drinking until the system could be flushed, adjusted and retested. Cal Water staff notified customers by hand-delivered notices, telephone calls and email as well as updates on the company website and through social media.
In the advisory, District Manager Dan Armendariz cautioned, “Until further notice, we ask customers in this area to please use bottled water for drinking and cooking. Customers may save receipts during this time for reimbursement by Cal Water. We apologize for this inconvenience. Protecting our customers’ health and safety is our highest priority.”
Two days after the incident, Cal Water lifted the do-not-drink advisory after introducing an alternate source of high-quality water into the system and conducting water quality tests. The investigation is ongoing, and Cal Water has augmented security measures at remote sites.
