Boil Water Warning in Koreatown

Residents in certain areas of Koreatown, Los Angeles, are being advised to boil their tap water and seek out free bottled water. This comes after tests revealed the presence of harmful bacteria in nearby water supplies.

On Tuesday, health officials issued a boil water warning for a small, two-block region because a preliminary test detected bacteria.

This warning initiated an emergency response, resulting in bottled water deliveries and teams going door-to-door to inform both residents and businesses.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), along with the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water, has strongly recommended that residents refrain from using unboiled tap water for drinking or cooking.

“Due to a positive result for E. coli on June 30, 2026, please use only boiled tap water or bottled water until further notice,” advised the LADWP and State Water Resources Control Board.

The affected area includes “the south side of West 5th Avenue, the west side of Mariposa Street, the north side of 6th Avenue, the east side of Ardmore Street, and a two-block area in between,” according to the alert.

Officials have reassured the public that this contamination seems to be limited and is not connected to a recent fire in Boyle Heights.

By Wednesday afternoon, trucks were distributing pallets of bottled water throughout the neighborhood, providing residents with essential supplies.

The office of Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, who oversees Koreatown, is working with LADWP as testing of the water system continues.

“LADWP has indicated that this is an isolated incident, pinpointed to a specific testing site in the area,” noted Hutt’s office. “Our staff is currently visiting homes and businesses to share information about the boil water notices.”

Additionally, Hutt’s office is supporting the distribution of bottled water and ice while efforts are underway to identify the contamination source. It remains unclear how long the boil water notice will be in place.

While most E. coli strains are harmless, certain varieties can lead to severe gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms may include bloody or watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever, according to the CDC.