A public statement advising customers to voluntarily boil tap water before consuming it because the water quality is unknown and customers should assume the water is unsafe to drink and take the appropriate voluntary precautions.

State of Florida Requirements

Operating regulations of the state require Utilities to issue a precautionary boil water notice when:

OPERATING PRESSURE

Drops below 20 psi (pounds per square inch) for 20 minutes or more. Due to water treatment plant or water distribution system issues.

WATER MAIN BREAK/INTERRUPTION

Resulting in the need to physically repair the water distribution system piping.

Duration

Each event requires conducting two (2) consecutive days of bacteriological tests or clearance tests with acceptable results.  Water samples are collected from within the affected area and sent to a state-certified testing lab.

When the department receives passing test results, the notice is canceled. If the drinking water was contaminated, we would be required to issue a Mandatory Boil Water Notices until the water was safe to consume.

Unlike the Precautionary Boil Water Notice, the Mandatory Boil Water Notice requires the customer to follow the notice until the system is tested clear. 

Mandatory Boil Water Notice would require all affected customers to utilize the protocols listed in the “What to do” section below.

State of Florida Requirements

Operating regulations of the state require utilities to issue a mandatory boil water notice when a sample location has a confirmed contamination exceeding an allowable Maximum Contamination Level (MCL).

Duration

Each event requires conducting two (2) consecutive days of bacteriological tests or clearance tests with acceptable results.  Water samples are collected from within the affected area and sent to a state-certified testing lab.

When the department receives passing test results, the notice is canceled