{"id":201,"date":"2026-05-17T18:31:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T18:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=201"},"modified":"2026-05-17T18:31:43","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T18:31:43","slug":"thousands-of-californians-hit-with-foul-smelling-tap-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanfranciscomovingguide.com\/?p=201","title":{"rendered":"Thousands of Californians hit with foul-smelling tap water"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The California Water Service is advising Stockton residents that\u00a0the city\u2019s tap water is safe to drink, despite the water emitting a foul smell that some describe as reeking of\u00a0sewage.<\/p>

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On Wednesday,\u00a0Cal Water said in a statement that Stockton\u2019s tap water met all water quality standards and was safe to consume. The agency said that the noticeable odor was a result of a recent change in the water source.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

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Residents were alarmed by the foul odor coming from home faucets earlier this week when dozens took to social media to discuss the issue, while others directed their concerns to Mayor Christina Fugazi\u2019s office. Nearly 100 comments posted in the \u201cStockton \u2014 What\u2019s Going On\u201d Facebook group complained about the taste and smell of Stockton\u2019s waters, with characterizations like \u201cmoldy dish water,\u201d \u201cvinegar\u201d and a \u201cfish tank.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

Craig Stevens, Cal Water\u2019s Stockton district manager, told SFGATE that mixing water from two unique sources can sometimes cause a change in taste and odor that is \u201cout of the ordinary for customers\u201d due to a water\u2019s \u201cunique chemistry, organic content, minerals, and biological activity.\u201d Cal Water and the city of Stockton are currently flushing the distribution system to remove water from the previous source and help the new source flow into home faucets.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\u201cCustomers are experiencing an earthy [odor], which is related to the organics in the surface water being treated and delivered from our purchase water supplier,\u201d Stevens said. \u201c… We\u2019re already seeing improvements in the majority of the distribution system and expect a complete turnover by this weekend.\u201d<\/p>

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