It’s a Nice Place to Litigate, but Don’t Drink the Water,

County officials again warned the public Monday not to drink the water in the deteriorating downtown San Diego courthouse.

Every drinking fountain in the building at 220 W. Broadway had a sign posted Monday against drinking, but most of the signs gave no explanation why.

Capt. John Schmidt of the county marshal’s office posted a notice that said silt was in the water.

“Due to a problem in the city’s water system, there is silt in the courthouse fresh water system,” the announcement said.

“Until further notice, we recommend that you not drink the water or use it to make coffee. You will be notified as soon as the water is free from silt.”

No one at the marshal’s office late Monday could say if the warnings would continue today.

On Monday afternoon, signs in Spanish urging no one to drink the water appeared beside the English signs.

Courts continued operating normally. There was no problem of water contamination in the Federal Courthouse across the street or at surrounding buildings.

On June 18, county officials posted warnings that the courthouse water was contaminated with sewage, but later said the contamination was due to rust from repairs made to water pipes.