Precautionary Boil Water Notices

Water utilities in Florida are required to issue a precautionary boil water notice whenever water service
to an area is shut off for any amount of time. Interruptions in service can occur for different reasons
such as a hurricane or other catastrophic events, but are usually caused by repairs made to a water main
following a break or during scheduled maintenance, improvements or repair work.

When a precautionary boil water notice is issued, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the water quality has
changed. The notice is required because when breaks or other events cause a loss in water pressure,
there is a remote possibility for contaminants to enter a water line through back-siphonage. The
precautionary boil water notice is issued as a safeguard to inform our customers of a compromise in our
system and to advise them of precautionary measures that can be taken to protect themselves.

In addition to the issue of precautionary boil water notices, other remedial actions are taken such as
flushing the affected water line after it has been repaired and maintaining the proper disinfectant
residual in the water to prevent microbiological contamination.

A precautionary boil water notice will stay in effect until two separate rounds of microbiological samples
are collected on two consecutive days, submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis and reported to
be “clean” after 24 hours in the lab. At that time a rescission notice will be issued. Most notices are
lifted (rescinded) in approximately 48 hours.

During the period in which the notice is in effect, customers are advised to disinfect any tap water used
for consumption which would include drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables
or homemade ice. Precautions should also be used when bathing. Tap water may be used for showering,
baths, shaving or washing as long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water into the eyes, nose or
mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have their baths supervised to prevent water from
being ingested. Although the risk of illness is minimal, individuals such as infants, the elderly or those
who may have recent surgical wounds, a chronic illness or are immuno-compromised may want to use
bottled or boiled water for bathing.

Water used for consumption during a precautionary boil water notice can be disinfected by any one of
the following methods:

1. Bringing the water to a rolling boil for a period of one (1) minute.
2. Using a disinfecting chemical (during power outages). If you cannot boil water, you should put
   eight (8) drops of unscented household bleach(4-6 % active ingredients- sodium hypochlorite),
   which is approximately 1/8th teaspoon, into one (1) gallon of tap water, then shake it and let it
   stand for a minimum of 30 minutes before drinking. Note: cloudy water requires 16 drops of
   bleach and a 30 minute contact time.
3. Using water purification tablets available from drug, sporting goods or camping supply stores.
   Commercial bottled water may also be purchased for consumption and food preparation.

Businesses and non-residential locations should take steps such as posting notices at, or disabling
water fountains and ice machines during a precautionary boil water notice. If you serve or provide
water to visitors or employees, use commercial bottled water for drinking or beverage preparation
(coffee, tea, etc.). Food service establishments have additional requirements from their regulatory
agency.

Regional Utilities, your public water system, takes great care in assuring that your water is safe to
drink. We appreciate your cooperation with the precautionary boil water notice to protect public
health during the period the notice is in effect.

Please call us if you have any questions or concerns at 850-231-5114.