WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (February 5, 2021, 6:11 a.m.) --  Due to a water main break overnight in the vicinity of Tamarind/2nd, the City of West Palm Beach is issuing a Precautionary Boil Water Notice for water customers in the City of West Palm Beach, Town of Palm Beach, and Town of South Palm Beach.

As a precaution, to avoid the possibility of using potentially contaminated water, do not use tap water for the following, until the city issues a “Rescission” notice:  

• Drinking water for you or your pets
• Brushing teeth
• Cooking
• Making Ice (shut off the ice maker in your refrigerator)
• Washing dishes.

Alternative sources of water are:

• Bottle water
• Boiled water, using a rolling boil, for one (1) minute
• Add eight (8) drops of unscented household bleach, per one (1) gallon of water and allow water to stand for one (1) hour

The water is safe to use for bathing, showering and washing clothes.

THIS “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED AND A BACTERIOLOGICAL SURVEY REVEALS THAT THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK. THIS NORMALLY TAKES A MINIMUM OF AT LEAST 48 HOURS FROM THE TIME YOUR SERVICE WAS RESTORED. WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE “RESCISSION NOTICE,” RUN YOUR WATER FOR FIVE-TEN MINUTES (5-10 MINUTES) BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL USE.

In addition, the City has temporarily switched to chlorine as its disinfectant which if you are sensitive to the taste or odor of chlorine, keep an open container of drinking water in your refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish, and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional advice, as the method for removing chlorine residuals differs from removing chloramine residuals from tap water.

The watermain break occurred on the evening of February 4, 2021. Its location and size resulted in a significant amount of water loss before the break could be contained. As a result, many locations within the City’s service area may have experienced low or no pressure for several hours.

In response to the event, the City has opened the emergency interconnects with the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department, has switched, temporarily to the use of chlorine to disinfect the drinking water, and as pressure levels return to normal will initiate specific flushing activities. Prior to rescinding the precautionary boil water notice, the City will also be collecting bacteriological sampling over the next several days to verify the system has been properly disinfected and meets safe drinking water standards.

Should you need more information on this incident, please call the City of West Palm Beach Public Utilities Department at (561) 822-2210 (TTY: 800-955-8771).