POWAY BOIL-WATER ORDER LIFTED: PUBLIC URGED TO DINE AT POWAY RESTAURANTS TO HELP WORKERS HURT BY SHUTDOWN

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By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2019 (Poway) – A boil-water order has been lifted in Poway, where residents can now drink tap water after first flushing out plumbing lines, replacing filters and throwing away ice. State testing found the water safe to drink, nearly a week after stormwater runoff contaminated a clearwell reservoir.

Hardest hit are restaurants forced to shut down, and their employees. The North San Diego Business Chamber is asking the community to dine in Poway Dec. 9-15, adding, “As the holidays approach, we ask that you dine at these businesses and support their employees, so they too can have a holiday season without any added stress.” Find a list of Poway restaurants at the bottom of this article.

The State Water Resources Control Board found Poway’s clearwell out of compliance due to its proximity to a storm drain.  A city media release states, “This comes as a shock to the city because in September 2019 we received a report from SWRCB with no indication that there was any storm drain compliance issue at the clearwell. In fact, in the more than 50 years the facility has been in operation and under regular inspection by the state, the city has never been made aware of a compliance issue of this nature.”

The city indicates that it secured the stormwater outlet on Sunday to eliminate any future backflow occurrences. The affected section of the clearwell reservoir was disinfected and refilled on Tuesday.   Water agencies from around the region sent staff to assist Poway’s water division.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob posted on Twitter today, “I’m asking the county to ease the burden on Poway restaurants as the city deals with its water situation. I’m proposing that the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday waive fees. Restaurants and their workers need help quickly getting back on their feet.  Read Jacob’s full proposal.

The city provided bottled water to residents during the week-long boil water order. Residents with questions can contact:

  • Water Utility contact: City of Poway Public Works Department (858) 668-4700
  • State Water Resources Control Board: (916) 341-5455
  • Local Environmental Health Jurisdiction: (619) 516-1990 

If you wish to support Poway restaurants in the coming week to brighten the holiday for workers and restaurant owners, here is a list of restaurants in Poway, along with their website links:

Poway Restaurants


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