A problem that caused water to be shut off at Paloma Valley High School was found and corrected Monday, officials said.

Water was shut off to most of the campus Monday after a chemical odor was discovered in the water in the boys locker room last week.

The problem came from a faulty mechanism in a water heater, according to Peter Odencrans, a spokesman for the Eastern Municipal Water District, which services the campus.

It was isolated to the locker room, and no problems were found elsewhere on campus, he said.

Students complained about a chemical smell Wednesday and, after tests couldn't find the source, water was shut off over the weekend everywhere on campus except in toilets.

Bottled water was brought in for drinking ---- and for use in science labs ---- and hand sanitizers were installed in restrooms, according to the Perris Union High School District, which oversees the Menifee campus.

When initial tests did not find the cause of the odor, more specialized procedures were ordered, Odencrans said.

Besides the locker room, water was tested in other locations, such as the cafeteria, gymnasium and the water main that serves the campus, Odencrans said.

No bacteria was found in the initial tests, he said.

"It just seemed to be an odor," Odencrans said.

An organic chemical ---- diethyl ether ---- leaked from the water heater into the locker room drinking fountain because of a faulty valve, Odencrans said.

The chemical, which Odencrans said is non-carcinogenic, is used to regulate the temperature within an anti-scalding device in the heater, he said.

The system was flushed Monday and more tests will be taken as a precaution after the school district and state health department rule it's safe to turn the water back on, he said.

There was never any thought of cancelling classes, school district spokeswoman Leslie Ventuleth said.

"We spent all weekend long preparing the school so it would be business as usual," Ventuleth said. "There was never any indication there would be a need to close the school."

Call staff writer Craig Shultz at 951-676-4315, ext. 2625.