For immediate release: July 24, 2009 (09-121)

Contacts:
Carolyn Cox, Office of Drinking Water 360-236-3162
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076

OLYMPIA ¾ The 336 residents served by the Cristalina Water System in eastern King County are being asked to boil and conserve their water because of intermittent water outages.

The outages pose a health concern because contaminants can enter the water lines when water pressure drops. Customers should boil their tap water for at least one minute or use purchased bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, preparing food, washing dishes, and making ice.

The system was under a boil-water advisory earlier this month. The owner repaired a leak that was thought to be causing outages. Now, warm summer temperatures have created more demand than the system can supply, and the outages are continuing. The conservation order asks customers to stop all use of outdoor water except spot watering of plants in critical need.

The boil-water advisory may have to remain in effect until the water system owner replaces water mains and installs meters later this year. The advisory could be lifted sooner if water demand can be kept to manageable levels.

The advisory applies only to this water system, which serves 85 homes east of Ravensdale. The service area is off Kent Kangley Road from 309^th Avenue SE to 316^th Avenue SE.

Customers who have questions can call 425-922-3944.

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