South Bay restaurants forced to close due to E. coli water contamination

May 2024 · 2 minute read

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — The boil water advisory for much of the South Bay continued into Saturday, affecting over 100,000 people unable to drink or use the water safely.

California American, the water company impacted, now says a water faucet might be to blame for a positive test for E. coli.

The advisory impacted hundreds of food establishments and restaurants, forcing them to close until the water is safe to drink. However, by 5 p.m. Saturday, the advisory was lifted, Cal American said.

The manager at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue on Palm Avenue told ABC 10News before the advisory ended, they got a call from the county telling them to close.

The county previously said 300 businesses in the South Bay were impacted by the boil water advisory, making it unsafe to prepare food and wash dishes and hands with E. coli-contaminated water.

The In-n-Out on Coronado Avenue was also closed. The parking lot and drive-thru, which are usually packed at any time of day, were closed.

An employee of the store said he got called and was told to not come to work on Friday.

Both businesses expected to be closed through the weekend or until officials gave them the green light that the water is safe to drink and use.

San Diego County confirmed the advisory was lifted about 30 minutes after Cal American's announcement.

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