Quistorff: Precautionary boil water advisory canceled

Update: On Thursday, April 9, Washington Water advised all customers of its Quistorff water system to use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking due to a detection of total coliform and E coli in one of the monthly compliance samples collected from distribution. Washington Water was notified by the laboratory today, April 10, that follow-up bacteriological samples collected in distribution were absent of any coliform bacteria (including those of fecal origin, like E. coli).

Water quality test results confirm that you no longer need to boil your water.

Customers who purchased bottled water for use during the advisory, may submit receipts for reimbursement and a credit will be applied to their account. Please mail receipts to P.O. Box 336, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Be sure to include account number and address on the receipt.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Protecting your health and safety is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Service Center. We can be reached toll-free at (877) 408-4060 or by email at [email protected].

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Posted April 9: Late Wednesday night, April 8, 2026, we learned that total coliform and E. coli bacteria were detected in one of our routine water samples collected from the distribution system on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Today, April 9, 2026, additional samples will be collected throughout the water system including all wells and both storage tanks. This follow-up sampling is done to confirm the presence or absence of coliform bacteria (including those of fecal origin, like E. coli) in the water system.

After these samples are collected, Washington Water staff will be turning off all unchlorinated wells so that chlorinated water can work its way into the rest of the water system. Washington Water has notified the Washington State Department of Health about this incident, and we are advising affected customers to take this measure out of an abundance of caution because protecting their health and safety is our highest priority.

Do not drink the water without boiling it first. Bring all tap water to a rolling boil for one minute. Let it cool before using. You should use boiled water (or bottled water) for drinking, preparing food, making ice, brushing teeth, and washing dishes by hand. Tap water is safe for showering, bathing, and for other household uses, including washing dishes in the dishwasher as long as the heat/sanitizing cycle and commercial dishwashing detergent are used.

The presence of E. coli bacteria indicates that the water may be affected by human or animal waste. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. However, the symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care provider about drinking the water.

If you choose to purchase bottled water during this advisory, you may submit your receipt for reimbursement and a credit will be applied to your account. Please mail your receipt to our office at P.O. Box 336, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Be sure to include your account number and address on the receipt.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Again, protecting your health and safety is our highest priority. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call our Customer Service Center. We can be reached toll-free at (877) 408-4060 or by email at [email protected].