Cafe Beaujolais, Luna Trattoria and Frankie’s Pizza were the three business hit by the county’s order to boil water. Beaujolis and Luna both have switched from well water to trucked water after being notified by the state about the results of the tests and apparent citations. Beaujolis owner Julian Lopez said he had to flush 5500 gallons of water that they had tested and found entirely clean down the drain to comply with the state order.
The consensus is this is the first time something of this scale has happened. But also the terse nature of the informatoion has upset many and some especially because the county announced it on Facebook a private company and did not put out a general press release. The businesses were informed 3 pm yesterday and the county got the word out about 5.
The North Coast Water Quality Control Board is actually doing all this, not the county and they have not issued any press releases or responsed to inquiries so far.
The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, has issued citations and compliance orders to three businesses west of Highway 1 in the town of Mendocino. These actions have resulted in boil water notices being issued for those businesses.
Affected Area:
• The specific locations impacted are within the town of Mendocino west of Highway 1. (everythiig)
Guidance for Businesses and Residents:
• The Deputy Public Health Officer recommends all residents and businesses west of Highway 1 proactively test their water for safety.
I spoke to the Mendocino County Supervisor Ted Williams, former fire chief Ed O’Brien and two county reps. Then I talked to the owners of Frankie’s Pizza and Cafe Beajulias who are still open. Beaujalias and Luna Trattoria both emptied their tanks out and are buying water. I talked to Frankie’s owner Alejandro, who said the building owner Mr. Zimmerman was working on the solution and seeking more info from the state. Although the county representatives said there were signs in front of the business in talking to the owners of two, they did not understand what the county wanted and that seemed to be different
I hope to work with Elise at KZYX on a story. Suffice it to say for now. you don’t need to fear any water in Mendo, its a seasonal thing that they state now tests for. Leaking sewer lines have been officially ruled out. Its just what happens with groundwater this time of year.. You have to click on the story to read it.
Akash Eidi program administrator for county public health had tables set up where people could get water testing equipment and utilize a private contractor. For those who have not tested its $95 for a test with Alpha Analytical labs 707-468-0401. If you have used them before it costs $60. Here
I would not panic. The town of Mendocino does not have a centralized water system, and since the drought, the State (not the County) has increased enforcement of state water quality requirements. Restaurants using their own well water are generally regulated as public water systems. During the initial testing phase conducted over the past year or so, the state identified businesses that require enhanced treatment of their surface water to meet drinking water standards. The state communicates such findings through “enforcement actions,” which businesses must publicly post.
When I learned the state was considering these actions, I alerted the county. County departments only had days to understand the state’s intentions and to plan appropriate outreach. It’s understandably frustrating when government communication is limited to statements like, “something is wrong, but we won’t tell you exactly what or where.” Despite this, I’m confident our county staff is diligently sharing the information they have, working within a fragmented system governed by complex rules.
The county’s Environmental Health department has some overlapping responsibility in protecting public safety, but this particular effort is entirely state-driven. Public Health and Environmental Health have been brought in specifically to assist residents who may want their private water sources tested. However, questions about the enforcement actions are best answered by the definite source, which is the state’s Division of Drinking Water.
Many of Mendocino’s wells are shallow and effectively draw surface water, which typically requires treatment to comply with drinking water standards. Out of an abundance of caution, I encourage residents to have their water tested—but again, I would not panic.
Still no information from the county about the boil order or what caused it or why the suggestion that everyone test their water would apply to the entire town which is on separate wells?
I emailed Jennifer Bosma and she said there would indeed be a county information table out in front of Mendosa’s .
She said….
Yes, they called and asked to have a table out front. Our water is testing fine, we have 2 filters and a chlorination system.
Here is another bit of very useful info provided by a reader…
I had to read this several times to understand it, it sounds like there are 3 businesses that have not been doing the required weekly testing of their water and as a consequence of not being in compliance, are being given a boil water notice. It didn’t say that anything had been found in the water. This sounds like it’s trying to force the businesses to comply by attaching a boil water notice to them.
My reply to Eula…
Eula Lenihan I am trying to find out what the citations are for. I didn’t put the citations as the headline because I found out what you said might be the citation- in other words nothing in the water. BAD thing to do if so, it makes the town sound like there is a massive problem. Maybe not.
….Lucinda Clark gives an answer to one of my questions…
Alpha Labs in Ukiah does water tests. You can pickup a small bottle to collect your water sample at Mendo County Planning office on Fir Street in Fort Bragg. Last year the cost was $40 for a basic ecoli test.
Supervisor Ted Williams posted this next to the facebook info provided by the county:
The state started testing water quality after the last drought. The town of Mendocino does not have a water system. Businesses and residents rely on individual wells. Many of these wells are shallow (surface water). Restaurants in this scenario are water companies for regulatory purposes and must hold a state permit. Some have not been in compliance, a finding by Waterboards during the drought. Residences are not regulated for regular testing of water quality. County Environmental Health and Public Health are preparing to guide individuals on testing water should they choose. I recommend it.
Got this posted from Marie Meyer
Well water is not always the most stable or clean. Some of the wells in Mendo are so old that it would be no surprise to find they had Giardia and other microrganisms living in them. The lack of water problems that Mendo experiences stem from the fact that the wells have a limited supply that has a tendency to dry up during months when Mendo sees their highest number of visitors. Realize that each room has sheets and towels that must be washed during peak season. That is ALOT of water being sourced to wash laundry. This is primarily the reason why Mendo will never again have a laundromat. I’d recommend a comprehensive rain catchment program for laundry washing and/or garden irrigation. Grey water salvage could also be utilized for plant irrigation. There is a sewer water treatment plant in Mendo. They let the purified sewer and gutter water flow back into the sea when it could be used for some purpose. A desalination plant would be a great investment for Mendo. We need to get a few rich Arabs over here on a Gold Visa who are willing to invest in real solutions. The desalination plants they have in Saudi are amazing.
The county has posted a press release late this afternoon on its Facebook Page. Its not on their press release page. Needs to be on the radio! Some people are saying on Facebook its a big overreaction. Will be trying to get more info. County will be set up to answer questions tomorrow at 10 a.m at Harvest at Mendosa’s. What that means we don’t know either. There is no place to gather there.
When the county says the part of Mendocino west of the highway, that’s the whole town. Yes there is a fire station and homes on the east side but this press release means the whole town. The photos just show Mendocino- please don’t construe anything from the photos other than that they are meant to make you think of Mendocino Town.
The following is a Facebook posting by the county. We haven’t found any press release so far.
The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, has issued citations and compliance orders to three businesses west of Highway 1 in the town of Mendocino. These actions have resulted in boil water notices being issued for those businesses.
Affected Area:
• The specific locations impacted are within the town of Mendocino west of Highway 1. (everythiig)
Guidance for Businesses and Residents:
• The Deputy Public Health Officer recommends all residents and businesses west of Highway 1 proactively test their water for safety.
• Mendocino County Environmental Health is working with affected businesses and offering support to others that may be impacted.
• Collaboration with the California State Water Resources Control Board is ongoing.
Public Information Opportunity:
Mendocino County Public Health staff will be available at: Harvest Market at Mendosa’s
10501 Lansing Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, & Thursday, May 1, 2025
10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Residents may visit during these hours to ask questions or get more information.
Questions we hope to answer
Is this all from one isolated incident?
How was it discovered?
A single well? If so, why is the whole town advised to check their water?
Is it related to sewer lines or septic possibly?
What sort of pathogen or other issue created the boil order?
Was anyone sickened?
What is happening at Mendosa’s??? There is no place to meet there.
Is it in the parking lot or inside?
How does one test their water for safety?
Who does this testing and how much is it
