Boil Water Notice In Effect Until 2nd Water Test Thursday Morning

Tampa FL

09 December, 2020

3:36 PM

Description

TAMPA, FL — The first round of water quality testing after issuing a precautionary boil water notice late Monday afternoon has shown satisfactory results with no evidence of contamination. The city of Tampa issued a precautionary boil water notice for the entire city and some parts of Hillsborough County that receive their drinking water via an interconnect with the city of Tampa after low water pressure was reported in the city on Monday afternoon. The city also banned lawn watering. According to city officials, the loss of water pressure was caused when a third party struck a transmission main coming from the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility, sending water gushing into the streets. "This is sort of ground zero for our water treatment," Mayor Jane Castor said during a news conference Tuesday. Castor said the treatment facility has a number of holding tanks, where treated water goes before being distributed. She said the break drained water from those holding tanks. "Had they not been able to reroute as quickly as they did, we literally would have run out of water for the city last night. They had about a foot left in those tanks before they were able to pump any water out," Castor said. Working overnight, crews were able to repair the broken transmission main Tuesday afternoon. Crews have been working overnight to repair the break. During the interim, the city provided bottled water for emergency use to restaurants and other businesses. The city said the results of a second round of water quality testing will be available Thursday morning. Twenty-four samples were collected from locations throughout the service area including nursing homes, hospitals and highly populated areas. The precautionary boil water notice issued Monday afternoon remains in effect throughout the city and parts of Hillsborough County including Eastlake, Fairview, Herschel Heights, Pebble Creek, Palm River and Seaboard. As a precaution, residents are advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used. While the advisory is in place, the Tampa Water Department must conduct two rounds of testing to confirm adequate disinfectant levels and verify that the water is safe to drink. Castor said the precautionary notice will be listed once a second bacteriological survey shows the water is safe to drink. For more information, visit the city of Tampa's website. See related story: Precautionary Boil Water Notice Issues For Tampa, Parts Of County