Update 1:30 p.m. Thursday: Due to the large size of this leak, customers in the area may experience discolored water and air in their systems for a week or more. Please follow these instructions if you are experiencing discolored water in your home:

Experiencing discolored water and air bubbles in homes is normal after leak repairs. Even though CCWD crews will flush the system using hydrants to remove discolored water and air from the main lines, some may remain in customers’ personal plumbing systems. It’s important to remember that even if the water is discolored, it is completely safe to drink and poses no health risk. However, the District recommends that customers avoid washing loads of laundry using bleach when experiencing discolored water in their homes, because it can lead to clothing being stained. If customers do experience discolored water and would like to flush their personal plumbing systems to remove it, they can turn on an outside faucet at the lowest point of their properties and let it run until the water turns clear.

Update 4 p.m. Wednesday: The damaged pipeline was repaired by 1:30 p.m. and CCWD crews restored water service to all impacted customers. Please see below for instructions on what to do if you are experiencing discolored water at your home. The California Highway Patrol responded to the incident and identified the person who is allegedly responsible for striking the hydrant with a vehicle.

Original post: Calaveras County Water District crews are working to repair a water leak in a 6-inch pipeline that occurred when a fire hydrant was struck by a vehicle at around 11 a.m. Wednesday on the 6600 block of Garner Place in Rancho Calaveras. Initially, the leak impacted water service to more than 150 customers. Fortunately, CCWD crews were able to isolate the damaged hydrant, and as of 12:15 p.m. only 20 customers were still without water. Crews are expected to complete the pipeline repair this afternoon and restore water service to all customers.

Once water service is restored, some customers in the area may experience discolored water and air bubbles at their homes, which is normal after leak repairs. Even though CCWD crews will flush the system using hydrants to remove discolored water and air from the main lines, some may remain in customers’ personal plumbing systems. It’s important to remember that even if the water is discolored, it is completely safe to drink and poses no health risk. However, the District recommends that customers avoid washing loads of laundry using bleach when experiencing discolored water in their homes, because it can lead to clothing being stained. If customers do experience discolored water and would like to flush their personal plumbing systems to remove it, they can turn on an outside faucet at the lowest point of their properties and let it run until the water turns clear.

Anyone with questions or concerns about this repair may call CCWD Customer Service at 209-754-3543 or contact Joel Metzger, manager of external affairs, at joelm@ccwd.org or 768-6270.