After a week without drinkable water, Mountain View city officials told residents on Friday they can use water again – but only after taking several steps. The City of Mountain View said those 67 homes near Cuesta Park can finally turn their water back on with precautions. But before using i t, the city says people need to flush their plumbing systems. That means running hot water for up to 75 minutes for larger heaters, or until it runs cold, and replacing any water filters. Even after all that, the rule is simple: boil water before drinking or cooking. And there’s no timeline yet for when that requirement will be lifted. The city says it will notify residents once testing confirms the water is bacteria-free. “They’re saying all kinds of things, we gotta flush and this and that. I will not boil water or anything, I will not do anything, until it’s 100% safe by the state,” said Kathy Bonilla, a neighbor. “That sounds a lot of iffy. I’m not boiling water or taking a shower, I’m waiting until my water is clean and tested and ready to go. I’ve waited this long,” said Leslie Edwards, a neighbor. For others, the change brings at least some relief. “We are able to bathe in it, run the dishwasher, and do laundry, which is a really big deal,” said Norman Kitching, a neighbor. City officials say they’ve been testing water samples all week. During Friday’s meeting, they got approval from the state to move into this next phase. It’s been a difficult stretch for residents. The problem started last Friday, when a contractor working on a water main allowed cement slurry to seep into the system, contaminating it with bacteria. “This made it just very, very difficult, you can’t imagine … you can’t even wash your hair,” Bonilla said. Many say they’ve spent extra money on food, laundry, and basic needs. The city now says residents will receive $92 per day for each day affected. “That’s not enough, because I just went to the store, twice,” Bonilla said. The city says if residents need help flushing their plumbing, they can call for assistance. Officials have also filed a claim against the contractor involved. ...read more read less