Boil Water Order Fully Lifted in Escondido

The order went into effect Friday after bacteria was detected in a source

Tap water is safe to drink again for all customers of the Rincon del Diablo Water District in Escondido.

The utility ordered about 6,300 customers, including Palomar Medical Center, to boil their water before using it to drink or cook with after workers found Coliform bacteria in a testing sample Friday.

The bacteria live naturally in the environment, officials say, but they can show the presence of other, dangerous substances in the water.

While the district worked to isolate the Coliform bacteria, they replaced an entire sample station and underground piping.

By Sunday evening, the boil water order was lifted for all but 60 customers. On Tuesday, those residents were told their water is also safe.

Rincon officials are still trying to identify the source of the bacteria.

“My heartfelt thanks go out to the community," said Rincon Water's General Manager Greg Thomas in a release. "They have been very supportive, patient, and understanding, which has allowed us to focus on the task at hand."

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