Mountain View mayor declares state of emergency after Cuesta Park water contamination

Mayor Emily Ann Ramos said the City of Mountain View is in a state of emergency after a localized water contamination incident left about 67 households without drinking water.

"Approximately 67 households have been without drinking water since Friday," Mayor Emily Ann Ramos said, identifying the affected area as north of Cuesta Park. Ramos said the city activated its emergency operations center Friday night and is dedicating resources to meet immediate household needs.

City officials said the problem began when a contractor hired by the city was performing water main replacement activities last Friday. Ramos said the city is coordinating with state regulators but that only the California State Water Resources Control Board can lift the order clearing the water for household use. She warned that the board’s clearance "may not happen before Sunday, May 3."

Ramos emphasized that Mountain View’s water is safe to drink outside the affected area and apologized to residents impacted by the disruption. "We are so sorry this happened," she said, adding that the city will continue working to restore service "as soon as possible." For updates, she directed residents to the city website at mountainview.gov/questawatermain.

The mayor’s statement did not include a timetable for repairs beyond the state’s clearance process, nor did it identify any citations of contamination levels, laboratory results, or a detailed plan for alternate water provision in the transcript. The city’s declaration of a state of emergency signals a formal recognition of local impacts and releases city resources to respond while the state evaluates and clears drinking water for the affected area.