Water Quality Information - Paradise Irrigation District

Paradise Irrigation District (PID) continues to advises bottled water only for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth

Updated January 8, 2019 - Paradise Irrigation District (PID) and the State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water recently tested Paradise drinking water for benzene and 29 other Federal and State-regulated organic chemicals. The initial water quality test results have confirmed the presence of benzene in some areas of the Paradise Irrigation District service area. It is believed that the contamination occurred when burning plastics, smoke, soot, and ash were drawn into the water system during the devastating Camp Fire. None of the other chemicals tested for were found in the samples.

The preliminary test results from various areas of the system fluctuate from non-detectable levels of Benzene to levels above the allowable regulatory limit for drinking water (Maximum Contaminant Level, MCL). A health risk can exist with the presence of benzene. Some people who drink water containing benzene in excess of the regulatory limit over many years could experience anemia or a decrease in blood platelets and may have an increased risk of getting cancer (Source: US EPA).

Paradise Irrigation District is confident in our ability to restore the integrity of our water system and to once again provide high-quality drinking water to all its residents. Unfortunately, this process will take time. Significantly more testing and investigations will be required to determine the overall health and safety of the water system. Results of those investigations will define what the necessary steps are to restore the system. PID is working closely with the Division of Drinking Water to conduct this investigation and to develop a Water Quality Testing and Restoration Plan. The District has also reached out to other water utilities who have recently experienced similar issues from major wildland fires to learn from their recent experiences.

Restoring water service is essential to all of us, but we also must ensure it is safe for our families. The District is committed to sharing the results of the investigation, our plan for response, the progress we make as we go, and our successes in restoring water quality with our customers in a transparent and informative manner. Please find updates regarding this process on our website (www.PIDWater.com/recovery.)

Until a thorough investigation is complete, we urge the public to promptly report any noticeable odors or smells in the water supply to (530) 342-3401. And to continue to use bottled water only for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. The health and safety of our customers are of utmost concern for the District, we highly recommend the following:

DO NOT drink your tap water. ONLY use bottled water. Bottled water should be used for:

all drinking (including baby formula and juice),
brushing teeth,
making ice,
and food preparation.
DO NOT try and treat the water yourself. Because of the nature of the potential water contamination, boiling or disinfecting your water will not make it safe to drink.

ADDITIONALLY, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

Do not allow pets or livestock to consume tap water.
Limit use of hot water.
Limit shower time (use lukewarm water and ventilate area).
Use a dishwasher to wash dishes and use air dry setting.
Wash clothing in cold water.
Do not take baths.
Do not use hot tubs or swimming pools.
Limit use of water for clean-up of properties and follow Butte County recommendations for protective clothing when on property (https://buttecountyrecovers.org/re-entry).

Important updates on water quality testing, water advisories for PID customers, processes regarding your meter and service, as well as important steps to take once we turn the system back on, can all be found at:

Facebook @PIDWater
Twitter @PIDWater
NextDoor.com

Paradise Irrigation District (PID) advises bottled water only for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth

Butte County, CA - Wildland Fires have the potential to cause certain contaminants to be present within communities that have been impacted. Paradise Irrigation District’s top priority is the health and safety of our customers and therefore the quality of the water that we deliver to them. In an abundance of caution, the District, along with the CA Division of Drinking Water, has taken water samples that will be tested by a state certified laboratory for possible contaminants that may have been introduced into the water system as a result of the Camp Fire. These water quality tests can take up to two weeks to receive the results.

PID is asking customers to promptly report any noticeable odors or smells in the water supply to the office phone, listed below.

The health and safety of our customers is of utmost concern for the District and until we receive these lab results, we highly recommend the following:
DO NOT drink your tap water. ONLY use bottled water. Bottled water should be used for:

all drinking (including baby formula and juice),
brushing teeth,
making ice,
and food preparation.

DO NOT try and treat the water yourself. Because of the nature of the potential water contamination, boiling or disinfecting your water will not make it safe to drink.

ADDITIONALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

Do not allow pets or livestock to consume tap water.
Limit use of hot water.
Limit shower time (use lukewarm water and ventilate area).
Use a dishwasher to wash dishes and use air dry setting.
Wash clothing in cold water.
Do not take baths.
Do not use hot tubs or swimming pools.
Limit use of water for clean-up of properties and follow Butte County recommendations for protective clothing when on property (https://buttecountyrecovers.org/re-entry).

Paradise Irrigation District will continue testing throughout its system on a regular basis as we move forward with repairs and our community rebuilds. The District will share the test results with customers as soon as they are received and will adjust this advisory once we receive conclusive evidence of water quality in the Paradise Irrigation District service area.

Facebook @PIDWater
Twitter @PIDWater
NextDoor.com

[No form id or name provided!]

BOIL WATER NOTICE - November 9, 2018

As a result of the Camp Fire, the Paradise Irrigation District, in conjunction with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water, is advising all its customers and/or emergency responders that the water from the District may not be safe to drink. We advise people to boil the tap water, or use bottled water, for drinking and cooking purposes. This is a safety precaution to avoid stomach or intestinal illness as much of our water delivery system has been dewatered, which can allow contaminates to enter the water system. The affected area includes all customers served by the Paradise Irrigation District.

We will inform you when tests show that water is safe to drink, and you no longer need to boil your water. We are working to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first

Boil all water for one (1) minute (rolling boil).

Let water cool before drinking.

Use boiled or bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice.

Boiling water kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

If you are unable to boil your water:

Household unscented liquid bleach

For clear water, use 8 drops (1/8 tsp.) of bleach for 1 gallon of water. For cloudy water, filter through a clean cloth and use 16 drops (1/4 tsp.) of bleach for 1 gallon of water.

Mix well. Allow to stand for 30 minutes before using.

Water may taste or smell like chlorine. This means disinfection has occurred.

Water disinfection tablets

Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

[No form id or name provided!]