Jan 24,
2025

Eaton Fire: Water FAQs (Updated 1/24)

(Updated 1/24/25)

Pasadena Confirms Safe Drinking Water Quality for All PWP Water Customers, Lifts Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice

PASADENA, Calif.— Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) in collaboration with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) today lifted the Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice for the remaining areas in its water service territory impacted by the Eaton Fire. PWP and the SWRCB confirmed safe drinking water quality for PWP’s entire water service area.

PWP has its own water operations and construction crews, along with its own certified water quality lab, which enabled PWP to work around-the-clock to quickly bring Eaton Fire-impacted facilities back online and systematically perform extensive water quality testing to confirm safe drinking water quality. PWP is also working in close partnership with neighboring Kinneloa Irrigation District and other water agencies for continued safe and reliable water. PWP recognizes and appreciates the partnership and resilience of the community as we collectively recover from the devastating Eaton Fire.

Answers to frequently asked questions, including water quality testing results and tips on flushing internal pipes when returning home after evacuation, can be found at PWPweb.com/WaterNoticeFAQ.   

For the latest Eaton Fire news, information and resources, PWP encourages residents to follow the City of Pasadena social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X, or by visiting PWPweb.com.

Is my water safe to drink?

All of PWP’s service area has confirmed safe drinking water quality.

For areas outside of PWP's service area, please check with your water service provider (Click here for a map of water service providers).

Am I in PWP's water service area?

To see if your home or business is within PWP's service area, click here to view a searchable map.

What prompted issuing the initial notification?

The Eaton Fire caused tremendous destruction in our community and also potentially impacted several city water infrastructure facilities, including reservoirs/tanks. Out of an abundance of caution, a “Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice” was issued for the portions of our service area served by the potentially impacted facilities to protect the health of our customers.

Our infrastructure and facilities located in the burned zones needed to be assessed for their integrity and restored accordingly. As we worked to bring impacted facilities online and confirm the quality of the water, we asked our residents and customers to take extra precautions.

What steps were taken to confirm safe drinking water in previously notified areas?

The PWP team, including operations and construction crews, engineers, and water quality experts, worked around the clock and systematically assessed all potentially Eaton Fire-impacted water facilities.

Working closely with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), PWP then followed SWRCB wildfire guidance of flushing the areas served by the restored facilities, followed by extensive and targeted water quality sampling and testing to verify safe drinking water quality. The following diagram illustrates the process for confirming drinking water quality.

A flow chart showing PWP's process for confirming drinking water quality: 1. Obtain access to and assess facilities and systems. 2. Repair or isolate damaged facilities as needed. 3. Flush system. 4. Perform water quality sampling and testing. 5. Do the results meet all water quality standards? No: back to 3 (flush system.) Yes: 6. Confirm drinking water quality with SWRCB Division of Drinking Water. 7. Lift Do-Not-Drink-Water Notification Order

Water quality tests performed include microbiological tests, disinfectant residuals, general mineral/physical tests (e.g., pH, turbidity, conductivity), and volatile organic compounds tests, such as for benzene - a fire-related analyte. PWP has its own ELAP (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) accredited water quality laboratory, which enabled a prioritized quick turnaround of the extensive sampling and testing. The results of these tests officially confirmed safe drinking water quality and were approved by the SWRCB Division of Drinking Water before lifting the “Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice.”

How can I access more detail about water quality testing results?

Click here to see a table of water quality results.

Click here for previous PWP water quality reports and annual water quality testing results.

Upon Returning Home After Evacuation

If within the impacted area identified on the map, continue to adhere to the “Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice.” Depending on the extent of damage from the Eaton Fire to water facilities, some areas may also experience limited service, including potential water service interruption as we work to bring these facilities back online.

If my home sustained severe damage and would like to pause water service for an extended period of time, what should I do?

Please call PWP Customer Service at (626) 744-4005.

Upon return, what steps should I take concerning my water service?

  1. Check if you are in the impacted area under the “Do-Not-Drink-Water Notice” at PWPweb.com/WaterNotice.
  2. Where possible, visually inspect your plumbing fixtures for signs of fire-related damage. If damage is identified, it is recommended to repair as soon as possible.
  3. Before use, it is recommended to flush your water system in the following order: outside hose bib, toilet, bathtub, and then all other faucets. Each flushing event should be about 5 minutes or until the water becomes clear.

For questions, please call Pasadena Water and Power Customer Service at (626) 744-4005, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. For Water Emergencies, call (626) 744-4138.