After almost a week without water, residents of Granada Hills and Porter Ranch can turn on the tap and resume normal use of their water. The boil water notice issued on August 6 was lifted on Tuesday, August 12.
The problem started on August 5, while LADWP crews were repairing a pump station connected to a 10 million gallon tank, and a valve 24 feet underground either broke or failed to open, shutting off the water supply. The tank drained, leaving over 9,000 DWP customers without little or no water.
After the incident, DWP advised its customers to avoid using tap water and issued the boil water notice. They urged residents to turn off sprinklers, water heaters, flushing toilets, etc. – leaving most residents high and dry.
The agency quickly brought in pallets of water, temporary showers and toilets and more for residents as they continued to work on the problem.
To repressurize the system they had to continuously pump water back into the tank, which would be thwarted by even small use by residents.
Even though the boil water notice has been lifted, DWP recommends flushing your pipes for at least five minutes before using to get rid of any stagnant water that has been sitting there for a week.
Flush the system by removing aerators and screens from all faucets. Set water softeners and filters to “bypass mode.”
Open and flush external hose bibs and faucets until the water is clear and temperature is constant.
Run all cold water faucets at the highest flow or fully open. Drain your hot water tank to discharge any sediment. Flush all toilets one time.
Dump your ice makers and flush water feed lines by making and discarding three batches of ice.
Soak and disinfect all aerators and screens in one cup of bleach to four cups of water.
Run an empty dishwasher and washing machine once on a rinse cycle.
Replace all filters and reset all water devices from “bypass mode.”
