SAN DIEGOSAN DIEGO — Thousands of residents in parts of Encanto and the neighboring communities of Broadway Heights, Jamacha and Emerald Hills were told Thursday night to boil their tap water before drinking it or using it to prepare food to avoid potentially getting sick because a contractor hit a water main pipeline.
Community groups, neighbors and local officials spent Friday afternoon collecting cases of water bottles and distributing them across the impacted areas.
Community organizations collected donations of water from across San Diego County. Volunteers outside the Encanto Recreation Center gave out bottles and refilled gallons for families.
Residents pulled up as volunteers dropped cases into their trunks and front seats.
City officials said the outage was due to a contractor striking a water main pipeline. They said they anticipate issues will be resolved within three days. The city will inform residents when the water is safe to use and drink.
Encanto resident Dahlia Cruz spent the night boiling water before drinking it, washing dishes and brushing her teeth.
“It’s been a little bit of a hassle,” Cruz said.
Experts recommend boiling water for one minute before using it to brush teeth, prepare food or to drink it.
“At the end of the day, quality of life sees no borders,” said Mayor of Lemon Grove Racquel Vasquez, who dropped off cases of water gallons.
Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe, who represents the affected neighborhoods, spoke to volunteers and residents in Encanto Friday. She was thankful for the donations, she said.
The People’s Association of Justice Advocates, the National Black Contractors Association and the San Diego Hip Hop 5K were among the groups seeking donated cases of water to be dropped off at 6125 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114, over the weekend.
“We need every community in San Diego to step up,” said Shane Harris, president of the People’s Association of Justice Advocates. “When one of us is down all of us is down.”
Residents can pick up water bottle cases at the following locations:
- Encanto Recreation Center 6508 Wunderlin Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
- Grace Missionary Baptist Church 6328 Brooklyn Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
- Greater Life Baptist Church 1012 Derby Street, San Diego, CA 92114
- Black Contractors Association 6125 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
- Pillars of the Community 6443 Imperial Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114
