Pescadero — South Coast residents are receiving information from the County of San Mateo about drinking water safety, including whom to contact with any concerns about their drinking water.
The flyers have been mailed to homes and businesses and distributed at key community hubs such as markets and post offices. County staff and outreach partners are also going door to door and participating in community events to help spread the word. Ads are running on local radio and social media.
All materials are available in English and Spanish.
“Everyone deserves peace of mind when it comes to their drinking water,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, whose District 3 includes the South Coast area. “If your water comes from a well or a creek, we want you to know we’re here to help make sure it’s clean and safe. That’s a basic right, and a top priority for us.”
The outreach is part of a broader effort by the County’s Environmental Health Services Division and Office of Community Affairs to increase awareness about drinking water safety, particularly among renters, non-English speakers and farm laborers.
In-person outreach includes visits to homes and businesses in Pescadero, participation in events hosted by local nonprofits Ayudando Latinos A Soñar and Puente de la Costa Sur, and informational presentations to local advisory councils, including the Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council and the Farmworker Advisory Commission.
Tenants who are concerned about their water supply are encouraged to contact County Environmental Health Services. Staff will inspect the home and water source at no cost to the tenant. If a problem is found, the landlord will be required to address it.
County officials emphasize that private well owners are responsible for maintaining safe systems. The County can test water and require improvements, but does not perform repairs or upgrades, which are the responsibility of the homeowner/landlord.
As part of an ongoing effort to ensure everyone in the South Coast area has access to clean and safe drinking water, the County has recently:
- Inspected more than 140 farmworker housing units to assess water quality and other health conditions through the Farm Labor Housing Compliance Task Force.
- Referred properties operating without proper permits to regulatory agencies.
- Extended treated water service to Pescadero Middle and High School, which has relied upon bottled water due to high levels of nitrates in its wells.
More than half of South Coast homes rely on private wells or creeks instead of public water systems.
Residents served by County Service Area 11 (CSA-11), the local public water system, can also request water quality testing if they have concerns.
If your home relies on water from a well or creek and you’re worried about drinking water safety, or if you lack clean drinking water, contact County Environmental Health Services:
Phone: 650-599-1112
Email: envhealth@smcgov.org
More information: smchealth.org/eh
Preston Merchant
Communications Officer
San Mateo County Health
Press Contact: (650) 867-1661
Press Email: press@smchealth.org