A boil water order has been issued for all Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District customers west of Sheep Creek Road after flash flooding damaged multiple water main lines and disrupted water pressure across parts of the district.
The flooding, which moved through the Sheep Creek Wash on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, damaged water mains at several locations, including Trinity Road and Ash Road. Homes north of Duncan Road along the wash were among the most heavily impacted, with some residents experiencing low water pressure or no water as crews work to isolate broken lines.
George Cardenas, assistant general manager of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District, said the extraordinary amount of floodwater, debris, and damage has made it difficult for crews to reach valves and damaged sections of pipe. As floodwaters continued to move through the wash, crews were unable to access key valves and damaged sections of pipe.
The first reports of service problems came late Tuesday morning. At 10 a.m. on December 23, customers south of Highway 138 in the Trinity and Hollister area were warned about possible low pressure or outages due to a broken main. By 11:30 a.m., the issue had spread to the Evergreen area north of Quail Road and other neighborhoods south of Highway 138. Repairs were delayed by flooding.
As the situation worsened, district staff began pushing water from a non-compromised zone of the system into the damaged zone to maintain service while emergency repairs are underway. While that helped keep water flowing to many homes, it also meant that water pressure and flow direction inside the system changed at the same time floodwaters were present near broken and leaking pipes.
Because that combination creates the potential for contamination, state and county regulators required the district to issue a boil water order as a precaution which occured about 7:30 p.m.
The order applies to all customers west of Sheep Creek Road. Areas east of Sheep Creek Road are not affected, and the district has been able to reroute water internally to keep those areas supplied. Cardenas said the district’s emergency response plans allowed crews to stabilize the rest of the system even while repairs continue in the damaged zone.
Under the boil water order, residents should boil tap water for one minute before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, or food preparation, or use bottled water instead. Showers and baths are considered safe, although residents are advised to use caution if water appears cloudy or discolored. The district also recommends emptying ice makers and not using them until the order is lifted. Pet owners who want to be extra cautious are advised to use boiled or bottled water for their animals. See the official notices below for more details.
Crews are continuing emergency repair work through Christmas Day, inspecting and repairing every water line that crosses the Sheep Creek Wash.. District officials say restoring full system integrity as quickly as possible is a top priority.
Another storm is expected to move through the region later tonight. Forecasts indicate it may be colder, which could bring snow rather than rain. While snow could affect mountain communities such as Wrightwood, colder conditions would likely result in less runoff flowing into Sheep Creek Wash, reducing the risk of additional flooding at the damaged pipe crossings.
The district is still evaluating whether bottled water distribution will be needed. Cardenas said one challenge is that the Stater Bros. market in Phelan is closed on Christmas Day, limiting immediate access to bulk-bottled water. The district is exploring options and will provide updates if distribution becomes necessary.
Despite the damage in the affected zone, the district’s overall water system remains stable. If additional supply is needed, the district has agreements in place with neighboring providers, including Sheep Creek Water and the State Water Project, to bring water into the system if required.
Once all damaged lines are repaired and the system is fully stabilized, water samples will be collected and sent to a certified laboratory. The California State Water Resources Control Board will review the results, and when the water is confirmed safe, the state will authorize the district to lift the boil water order.
Residents should monitor updates from the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District at www.pphcsd.org as repairs and testing continue.
Sheep Creek Water Customers Not Under Boil Order
Residents served by Sheep Creek Water, which operates within the boundaries of the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District, are not under a boil water order.
Sheep Creek Water officials report that their tanks are full, no leaks have been identified, and their well site at Sheep Creek Wash remains operational. A short section of exposed pipe near Sierra Vista and Nielson Road will be repaired tomorrow. Some fencing and debris cleanup are needed near the wash, but no water quality or pressure issues have been reported.
Customers of Sheep Creek Water should continue to follow instructions from their own water district, as the PPHCSD boil water order does not apply to them.
For a video of the Sheep Creek Wash at Phelan Road Follow this Link to Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/881313031007474/
Wrightwood Boil Water Order Information
Please see the following articles for information regarding the Wrightwood Boil Water Order:
- Boil Water Notice Issued for Wrightwood Customers After Storm Damage UPDATED
- Golden State Water Repairs Hydrant as Wrightwood Remains Under Boil Water Notice
