The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division issued a boil advisory for Castle Pines residents west of I-25 that will likely last through Saturday.

Most residents in the city of 11,000 located between Lone Tree and Castle Rock get their water from the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District.

District officials reported its chlorine injector stopped working Tuesday. The district shut water delivery down and “secured another water supply, but the pumping infrastructure malfunctioned and water pressure was lost” Wednesday morning.

“Temporary malfunction of the pumps resulted in some CPNMD customers experiencing extremely low water pressure and others having no water for part of Wednesday,” according to the district’s website.

The district reported it to DCPHE, who issued the boil advisory a day later.

“We do not have direct evidence that any water contamination occurred in Castle Pines North Metropolitan District, but a loss of water pressure can lead to contamination,” according to a department spokesperson via email. “That is why the boil water notice was issued.”

Residents should either use bottled water or boil all water used for drinking, cooking, ice, washing dishes, food preparation, teeth brushing, etc. for at least one minute (don’t overboil).

“Loss of water pressure can allow disease-causing organisms to enter the water system,” according to the CDPHE. “These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and headaches. If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend you seek medical advice.”

The district posted this update on its website at 8 a.m. Friday: “Our contractors flushed CPNMD’s water lines yesterday. Water-sample testing commences today. We expect test results back tomorrow (Saturday). Depending on the test results, we understand WQCD/CDPHE may or may not lift the boil advisory as early as late tomorrow afternoon.”

The Parker Water and Sanitation District supplies water to Castle Pines residents living east of I-25, so the boil order does not impact those residents, said Deirdre Mueller, communications manager.

“The Castle Pines North owns and operates its own district, but we have an agreement in place since we’re taking them over at the beginning of next year,” Mueller said. “We’ve been assisting them with repairs and been helping these past couple of days.”

The popular Elk Ridge Park Splash Pad and bathrooms will remain closed until further notice.

A CDPHE spokesperson did not return an email inquiry from the Denver Gazette by press time.

Check Castle Pines North website for updated information.