St. Helena officials are asking residents to conserve water as much as possible while they try to fix the city’s drinking water system, which has been malfunctioning since Thursday morning.

People should eliminate all non-essential water use, especially outdoor irrigation, until at least Monday and limit overall water use as much as possible.

The problem involves a malfunctioning chlorine feed pump, according to city officials.

“While the issue has been identified and corrective actions are underway, it has created temporary impacts to water quality and system operations,” according to a statement on the city’s website.

The California Division of Drinking Water has authorized the introduction of treated water into the distribution system in order to maintain adequate supply and pressure and the city has also increased flow rates.

A loss of water pressure could result in “significantly more serious impacts,” city officials said.

Until the system is repaired, people might notice discolored water and higher-than-normal chlorine levels, which the city says are still within safe drinking water standards.

People can report discolored water via the St. Helena Grapevine, the city’s online and mobile service request system.

Kiley Russell writes primarily for Local News Matters on issues related to equity and the environment. A Bay Area native, he has lived most of his life in Oakland. He studied journalism at San Francisco State University, worked for the Associated Press and the former Contra Costa Times, among other outlets. He has covered everything from state legislatures, local governments, federal and state courts, crime, growth and development, political campaigns of various stripes, wildfires and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.