Ramona Water District Denies Media Report of Wide Boil-Water Order

A press release Thursday from the county health department and at least one media report led some people to mistakenly think Ramona was under a “boil water order.”

“I wanted to notify you that there apparently is a news story on Channel 39 that referenced a boil alert in the Sutherland area,” said David Barnum of the Ramona Municipal Water District.  

Barnum stressed that no customers of the Ramona water district are affected.  

“We have updated our web page and after-hours call center to notify our customers that they are NOT impacted,” he said.  “In addition, I have contacted Channel 39 to have them update the story.”

About 9:10 a.m. Thursday, the county Department of Environmental Health sent local media a one-page note on a boil-water order for the Sutherland Reservoir Recreation Area Water System at 22850 Sutherland Dam Rd, in Ramona, “effective immediately.”

But Michael Williams of Sutherland told Patch that the order applied only to the single “comfort station” at the reservoir picnic area.

The restroom’s water system is being repaired, and until it’s been tested, the water there could have coliform bacteria, Williams said.

“Total coliform bacteria can come from soils and other sources in the environment and can indicate a problem with the water supply system,” the county said.  “The Boil Water Order was issued to ensure all water used is free from contamination.  

“The Boil Water Order will remain in effect until the distribution system has been disinfected and additional samples confirm the absence of bacteria in the water supply.”