Julian

Tap water in Julian is again safe to drink, officials from the county Department of Health Services said Wednesday.

Benzene, a cancer-causing component of gasoline, was detected in the mountain community’s water system Friday, and residents were warned not to drink the water, said Harry Seifert, general manager of the Julian Community Services District, which distributes the water to 500 residents.

A malfunction in the town’s carbon filtration system allowed the benzene to contaminate the water, Seifert said. Although the filter was repaired Saturday, water in the distribution pipes was still tainted earlier this week.

Tests conducted Wednesday found no evidence of the chemical, health officials said.