People living in part of Los Angeles’ Koreatown are being forced to boiling tap water — and scramble for free bottled water — after routine testing detected a deadly bacteria in the neighborhood’s water supply.
Health officials slapped a boil water notice on a roughly two-block stretch of the neighborhood Tuesday after preliminary results from one testing station came back positive for the bacteria.
The alert triggered an emergency response that included bottled water deliveries and crews going door-to-door warning residents and business owners.
The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and the State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water urged residents to avoid using unboiled tap water.
“ONLY USE BOILED TAP WATER OR BOTTLED WATER FOR DRINKING AND COOKING PURPOSES until further notice due to the positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria results received on June 30, 2026,” The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) and the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking advised in the notice.
The affected area includes “the southern side of West 5th Street, the western side of Mariposa Avenue, the northern side of 6th Street, the eastern side of Ardmore Avenue, and the two square block area within,” according to the alert.
Officials emphasized the contamination appears to be isolated and has no connection to the recent Boyle Heights fire.
By Wednesday afternoon, trucks stacked with pallets of bottled water had been deployed throughout the neighborhood as residents picked up free supplies.
The office of LA Councilmember Heather Hutt, whose Council District 10 includes Koreatown, said it is coordinating with LADWP while crews continue testing the water system.
“LADWP has stated this is an isolated exposure, narrowed down to a singular testing location amongst many in the area,” Hutt’s office said. “Our staff are currently walking door to door in the affected area notifying residents and business owners about the boiling water notice.”
Hutt’s office added that the council district is also helping distribute free bottled water and ice while officials work to determine the source of the contamination. It was not immediately clear how long the boil water notice would remain in effect.
Most strains of E. coli are harmless and naturally live in the human intestine, helping digest food and protect against harmful germs. But some varieties can trigger serious gastrointestinal illness.
“Some kinds can cause bloody diarrhea, watery diarrhea, or both. Some of these E. coli can cause other symptoms, including stomach cramps, vomiting, and fever,” according to the CDC.