Health officials warn food establishments in Tacoma of potential water quality concerns

TACOMA, Wash. — The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is warning food establishments in the Tacoma Mall area about potential water quality concerns.

Officials said the issue is expected to be resolved by Thursday evening.

“A contractor hit a water main near the Tacoma Mall, and you may be experiencing brown water. But there is no official brown or boil water advisory,” a spokesperson for the health department wrote in a news release.

Officials said food establishments from 38th Street south to 56th St. and east to Yakima Avenue and west to Tyler Avenue and including and south of Tacoma Mall need to take certain steps because of of sediment in the water:

If you have discolored water, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department requires you to close your facility.

- This includes all tavern/lounge, restaurant, meat, fish, bakery, produce, or espresso operations or other facilities handling opened ready to eat food or drink.

- The water system has sediment, so you cannot use the water for dishwashing, drinking, food preparation, or hand washing.

- Turn off all ice machines, espresso machines or other equipment that draw water during use.

You can reopen your facility when the water runs clear from your taps, and you complete the following:

- Run all faucets until the water runs clear.

- Discard all ice in the ice machine. Flush the lines by making another batch of ice and discard.

- Flush soda fountains and espresso machines.

- Flush filtration systems.

- Drain and re-fill the dishwasher.

You do not need to notify the Health Department of your closure or re-opening.

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