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Mountain View Neighborhood Likely Without Safe Tap Water Until Sunday After Main Breach

Restoration hinges on state clearance.

Overview

  • City officials, who told residents Wednesday the do-not-drink order will likely last through Sunday, May 3, say crews are still flushing lines and sending samples to the lab.
  • A contractor’s water‑main work Friday let cement slurry enter an active pipe at Cuesta Drive and Bonita Avenue, contaminating a small Cuesta Park pocket and affecting about 66 to 67 homes.
  • Tests detected coliform bacteria in some samples but not E. coli, which signals possible contamination even though the specific pathogen was not found.
  • The city declared a local emergency, is delivering bottled water, offering hotel rooms and reimbursements, and says tap water should only be used to flush toilets or water ornamental plants.
  • State regulators must authorize the return to potable service, and the city reports more pipe flushing, inspections, and resident plumbing guidance are underway as officials prepare for a neighborhood meeting Friday.