A broken sewer line has left dozens of patients at Atascadero State Hospital (ASH) without running water in their units for more than a week, officials say.
When asked by KSBY whether patients and staff in two units were without functional plumbing and no way to wash their hands, Department of State Hospitals Spokesperson Ralph Montana confirmed Tuesday that 77 patients were impacted by a sewer line issue that began April 14.
Montana said the patients are being given water and access to centralized restrooms along with access to neighboring units for bathroom breaks and showers.
A contractor is working to repair the line, according to Montana. No timeline has been given on when repairs will be complete and water service restored to the impacted units.
Atascadero State Hospital currently houses nearly 1,200 male patients, according to its website, and employs more than 2,100 people.
