Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Update: Cuesta Water Main Incident

10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026: Cuesta Water Main Incident

Boil Water Restriction Lifted for 46 Homes and Remains in Place for 21 Homes
On Wednesday, May 6, the City of Mountain View, in coordination with the California State Water Resources Control Board, lifted the "Boil Water" notice for 46 of the 67 homes impacted by a water main contamination breach, north of Cuesta Park. The water line serving these homes continues to test clear for coliform bacteria. View the "Termination of Boil Water Notice for Select Residences."

The remaining 21 homes, located on Drucilla Drive and Carla Court, remain under a "Boil Water" notice until further notice.

View a map of the area below (or view map here), showing the homes that remain under a "Boil Water" notice and those homes for which the "Boil Water" notice has been lifted.

21 Homes in Drucilla Drive/Carla Court Area

Residents in 21 homes on Drucilla Drive (between Leona Lane and Montalto Drive) and Carla Court should continue to follow boil water restrictions due to the latest test results continuing to show low levels of coliform bacteria in the water line serving their homes. This means tap water must be boiled for at least 1 minute before drinking, food and drink preparation, making ice, brushing teeth, and other consumptive uses. Bathing, showering, hand washing, and running a dishwasher and a clothes washer are approved for use with water directly from the tap.

The "super chlorination" process is now underway for the pipeline that serves the Drucilla Drive/Carla Court area. The duration of the work will depend on test results following the chlorination process. The City will keep affected residents updated on the schedule as more information is available.

The City will continue to provide hotel, meals and incidentals, and shower resources for these homes through Sunday, May 10 (hotel checkout available through Monday, May 11). Water delivery will continue through Wednesday, May 13, with extra days provided to ensure a smooth household transition.

46 Homes Outside the Drucilla Drive/Carla Court Area
The "Boil Water" notice has been lifted for 46 homes outside of Drucilla Drive and Carla Court. It is recommended that these households perform another flushing of the in-home water lines and fixtures, starting with the front yard spigot, prior to consuming water from your tap. For flushing instructions, see HERE.

The City is providing plumbing services for those who need assistance with the flushing process. If you need assistance, please email [email protected] or call 650-903-6081.

Due to the return to full water service for these 46 households, changes are coming to the emergency resources provided by the City.

• Wednesday, May 6, is the last night for temporary lodging paid for or reimbursed by the City.
• Wednesday, May 6, is the last day for meal and incidental expenses reimbursement.
• Wednesday, May 13, is the last day for drinking water, delivered by Water World.

Addressing Water Bill Concerns for Affected Residents
The City recognizes that homes affected by the water main emergency are experiencing increased water usage due to the need to flush household pipes and fixtures as part of the restoration of water service. The City will provide a 100% credit for water and sewer services for the entire two-month bill that includes the emergency period beginning on April 24, 2026. Residents can expect to receive this credit in the bill arriving in early July.

The bill for the two-month billing cycle prior to the emergency period is arriving soon. This bill reflects water usage and charges for between Feb. 10 and April 8, 2026, and does not include a credit.

For questions or concerns, utility customers from the impacted area can contact the City's Utility Billing team at [email protected] or 650-903-6317, option 1.

Reports of Sediment in Tap Water
The City regularly tests for water quality parameters to ensure drinking water compliance.

One parameter is "turbidity," which is suspended particles in the water. Over time, it is not unusual for suspended particles to clump together to form sediment, which naturally falls to the bottom of the pipe. When pipes are flushed (especially with the very large flushing operations from last Thursday night/Friday morning), sediment can be stirred up into the main water stream.

In addition, some types of household plumbing, especially galvanized pipelines, can corrode over time and produce sediment at plumbing fixtures.

If sediment is coming out of your fixtures, it is recommended that you flush the pipes until the water runs clear.

For questions or concerns about sediment in your tap water, please call 650-903-6081 or email [email protected].

Questions or Assistance
For residents in the affected area who have questions, please call 650-903-6081 or email [email protected].

For questions specifically about the temporary lodging program, call 650-903-6081 and press 2.

Stay Informed
To receive updates via email on the Cuesta Water Main Incident, subscribe to "City News" at MountainView.gov/eNotify.

For more information, including resources for residents, visit MountainView.gov/CuestaWaterMain.

Next Update
The City will issue the next incident update when new information is available.

Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, email [email protected] or call Lenka Wright, Chief Communications Officer, at 650-903-6615.