Unsafe Water Alert Issued For Berryessa Highlands

NAPA COUNTY, CA— A water alert was issued Friday for Berryessa Highlands and Oakridge Estates.

Until further notice, residents of both unincorporated Napa County communities should not drink the tap water, nor use it for cooking.

The "Unsafe Water Alert" was issued by the State Water Resources Control Board- Division of Drinking Water, the Napa County Environmental Health Department and the Napa Berryessa Resort Improvement District - Berryessa Highlands water system.

Because of the recent LNU Lightning Complex fires, the NBRID-Berryessa Highlands water system has experienced a situation that could result in contamination of the drinking water, authorities said.

According to the alert, residents of Berryessa Highlands and Oakridge Estates should use only bottled water for all drinking — including for baby formula and juice — as well as brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice, food preparation and watering animals and livestock.

Residents are advised to not treat the water on their own. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe, according to the water alert.

Potable water will be made available to each household, authorities said.

According to the alert:

"We do not currently have any evidence that showering or washing is unsafe, but we do not yet have any water quality data to rule out the presence of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which have affected some fire-damaged water systems. VOCs can pose a threat to indoor air quality, especially when water with VOCs is heated. If you are concerned about this risk, you may want to limit showering and other hot water use until we have sample results to determine if VOCs are present. The water system is currently sampling for VOCs and other contaminants, and we expect to be able to share preliminary results with you by Tuesday September 15, 2020. "

• ALSO SEE: Fire-Ravaged Lake Berryessa Closed Labor Day Weekend