Water service restored to residents in Dos Palos. Boil water notice still in effect

Water service has been restored to residents in the City of Dos Palos but a boil water notice remained in effect Wednesday.

According to City Manager Darrell Fonseca, utilities engineers worked to get the plant’s system up and running and at 7:43 p.m. Tuesday night. Sufficient pressure was achieved , allowing the city to supply water at lower-than-average water pressure to residents.

Water was treated through the night at a rate slightly higher than the usage level. By about 10 p.m., most people had good water pressure levels, according to Fonseca.

Fonseca said if people intend to use the water for drinking or consumption, the water should first be boiled. This is because anytime the system is shut down, the first water that goes out to residents is untested.

It could take a while for the older water in the system to be flushed out. “Once we have test results and show that the plant is working properly, which we believe it is, we’ll lift the boil water notice,” Fonseca said.

The city expects to receive some of the test results by late Thursday. “We had just tested prior to all this happening and our water was good quality,” Fonseca said. “Right now our intention is to get the plant fully operational and tested.”

The city has also received approval from the state water office to install a temporary system that will allow modifications to be made to the plant without a disruption to the system. Fonseca said he expected the installation to begin possibly as early as Wednesday night or Thursday.

Fonseca estimates the city should have the alternate system in place by Friday or Saturday. “People will have extremely good water in two to three days when they have the temporary system operating,” Fonseca said.

The city has established a water distribution site in the City Hall parking lot and is providing one case of bottled water per vehicle. According to Fonseca, about 17,000 gallons of water was distributed to residents Tuesday. Not potable water is also available for needs such as the flushing toilets.

Fonseca said a water distribution location has also been established in South Dos Palos and those who are not able to make it to a distribution location can have water delivered.

According to the city’s Facebook page, drinking water is being distributed at Chic’s Grocery and the Midway Water District.

The city is asking residents to restrict watering on landscaping and laws to ensure there is an adequate supply of water in the city.

The City of Dos Palos which is connected to the California Aqueduct about 18 miles away, shut off water to residents Monday after algae clogged water treatment plant operations.

According to Fonseca, anyone with questions is asked to contact Dos Palos City Hall at 209-392-2174.

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 12:41 PM.