Shorecrest: Update on boil water advisory
We’d like to provide an update to you on the boil water advisory currently in effect for the Shorecrest water system.
On Friday, July 10, crews installed temporary chlorination equipment to help disinfect the system and address coliform and E. coli in the affected storage tanks and water main. Yesterday, the Washington Department of Health approved this treatment method on a permanent basis to continuously maintain water quality. We believe that permanent, system-wide disinfection through chlorination is the most effective way to protect public health and safety from bacteriological risks.
Because this treatment method was approved, we were able to begin testing water quality samples sooner, and that testing is currently underway. After we receive consecutive rounds of satisfactory results, we will coordinate with the Washington Department of Health to cancel the boil water advisory. We expect to receive those results back by Thursday and will provide an update to you at that time. Until then, please continue to boil your water or use bottled water for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, and handwashing dishes.
We apologize for the inconvenience this advisory causes and thank you for your patience as we work with the Washington Department of Health to chlorinate the water system and conduct confirmation water quality testing, so that you can resume normal water use. Protecting our customers’ health and safety is our highest priority.
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The Shorecrest water system, ID#78618W, located in Pierce County and owned by Washington Water, routinely monitors for the presence of coliform bacteria, including those of fecal origin, like E. coli. On Thursday, July 9, 2026, we learned from the laboratory that total coliform and E. coli were detected in bacteriological samples collected in distribution on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, and a boil water advisory was put in place for all customers served by the Shorecrest water system. As our customer, you have a right to know what happened, and what has been done or is being done to correct the situation:
Tuesday, July 7—On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, we were notified by the laboratory that total coliform was detected in the routine water sample collected from distribution on Monday, July 6, 2026. E. coli was absent from this sample.
Wednesday, July 8—Upon learning of the unsatisfactory result, follow-up samples were collected throughout the system, including from the two wells, two storage tanks, and the original sample site. This was to confirm the presence of coliform bacteria and determine its source/origin so it could be eliminated.
Thursday, July 9—The results of the follow up samples confirmed the presence of total coliform and E. coli bacteria in the system. All customers were notified on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking until further notice.
Friday, July 10—Additional samples are being collected, and chlorination equipment will be installed and placed in service to continuously disinfect and rid the storage tanks and distribution mains of coliform and E. coli bacteria. Please continue to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking until further notice.
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 need bottled water during this time, our staff is currently at the intersection of Rosedale Street Northwest and 78th Avenue Northwest, on July 10, 2026, providing cases of bottled water to customers until 4:00 p.m.
We have been working with the Washington Department of Health (WADOH) during the evaluation process of temporary chlorination. WADOH approval is required prior to installing temporary chlorination. We appreciate your understanding as we work to correct this water quality situation.
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service Center toll-free at (877) 408-4060 or by email at [email protected].
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Published July 9, 9:42 p.m.
Washington Water is advising all customers served by our Shorecrest water system in Pierce County to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking until further notice.
On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, we were notified by the laboratory that total coliform was detected the routine water sample collected from distribution on Monday, July 6, 2026. On July 8, 2026, additional samples were collected throughout the water system, including all wells and storage tanks, to confirm the presence or absence of coliform bacteria (including those of fecal origin, like E. coli) in the water system. On July 9, 2026, we were notified by the laboratory that total coliform and E. coli bacteria were detected in distribution and both storage tanks. We have notified the Washington State Department of Health about this incident, and we are advising you to take this measure out of an abundance of caution because protecting your 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].
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Published July 9, 12:10 p.m.
To our 34 customers affected by the boil water advisory this week, served by our Shorecrest water system in Pierce County:
On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, you were advised to use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking due to a water main leak repair until sample results confirmed that water quality was not affected.
Once this work was completed, the system was flushed, and a follow-up bacteriological sample was collected from the distribution system to confirm that water quality was not affected. We were notified by the laboratory that the sample showed the presence of total coliform bacteria (absent of E. coli).
Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment, harmless to the general population and are used as an indicator that other potentially harmful bacteria may be present. The presence of coliform bacteria is a warning of potential problems because pathogens (organisms that can cause disease) may also enter the system via the same route as the coliform bacteria. The presence of coliforms could mean that soil or vegetation has entered the system. Any samples that are positive for the presence of coliforms are further tested to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli are present. None of these bacteria were found.
On July 10, 2026, flushing will be done in the affected area and additional samples will be collected and tested. We will notify you when you no longer need to boil your water.
We advised you to take this measure because protecting your health and safety is our highest priority. We apologize for the inconvenience.
If you purchase bottled water for use during the advisory, you may submit your receipt for reimbursement and a credit will be applied to your account. Please mail your receipt to PO Box 336, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Be sure to include your account number and address on the receipt. If you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at (877) 408-4060 or email us at [email protected].
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Published July 7, 10:43 a.m.
Washington Water is advising the 34 customers highlighted on the map below who are served by our Shorecrest Water System in Pierce County to use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking or cooking until further notice. We are advising you to take this precautionary measure due to a water main break that our staff is repairing. This has the potential to affect water quality. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms that may have been introduced into the water.
After water service has been restored to your home, but before using water inside, please run your outside faucet until the water is clear. This is to prevent any discolored water from entering your faucets and fixtures and to evacuate air from your service line.
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.
Our crew is on site completing repairs. Chlorine will be used to sanitize all new plumbing parts and materials. Once repairs are complete and water service has been restored, the area will be flushed, and follow-up bacteriological samples will be collected and tested to confirm that water quality was not affected. We expect to receive sample results from the lab by Thursday, July 9, 2026. We will notify you when you no longer need to boil your 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 PO Box 336, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. Be sure to include your 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 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].
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