ALAMOSA, Colo. -- It is now safe to drink the water in Alamosa, the governor declared Friday.

Three weeks after a salmonella outbreak linked to the city's tap water sickened nearly 400 people, the warning to residents to boil all of their tap water has now been lifted.

The state issued a "bottled water" order on March 19 and modified it to a "boil water" order on April 3 after the city flushed its 51 miles of water line with a heavy amount of chlorine.

During the initial flushing stage, which lasted several days, residents could not shower, bathe, drink or even touch the tap water because the chemicals could cause skin rashes, eye irritation or lung irritation.

Last week, Alamosa completed flushing its water supply, storage, and distribution facilities.

As of April 8, Alamosa had reported 389 cases of salmonella, with 107 of those cases confirmed by laboratory testing. Sixteen people were hospitalized.

"The citizens of Alamosa have shown their character and resiliency in getting through what has been a unique public health emergency in Colorado," Gov. Bill Ritter said. "While the state was able to quickly mobilize assistance to the community, I want to commend Alamosa city and county employees and its residents for working together during this hardship."

But the town's troubles may not be behind them just yet.

The cause of the salmonella contamination is still under investigation. Officials suspect bird or animal droppings might have contaminated the water supply. The strain of salmonella in the water is the same strain found locally in birds, deer and other warm-blooded animals.

Another problem: a law firm in Seattle has notified the town of its intent to file suit against Alamosa. The firm is suing on behalf of a child who was hospitalized for four days during the salmonella outbreak.

The first salmonella victim began showing symptoms around March 8, and state health officials became aware of the outbreak a week later.

The city's water supply will continue to be chlorinated -- as are most drinking water systems in the state -- to help protect the water from future contamination, Ritter said.

A state emergency, declared on March 19, earmarked up to $300,000 in state funds to be used to support response efforts in Alamosa. It also designated the Division of Emergency Management as the lead agency at the state level and authorized state agencies to send personnel as appropriate to assist the city and county of Alamosa.

The state's Division of Emergency Management, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs all played a large role in helping the town cope with the emergency. More than 30 agencies, from metropolitan water districts to state agencies and congressional offices, pitched in.