Residents cautioned to boil water

Residents cautioned to boil water



By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 06/05/08

Several St. Augustine residents got an ominous-sounding phone call Wednesday that said, "Code Red."

City water customers were warned that they are under a boil-water notice for the next two days because of a water main break on King Street.

"If you want to consume water -- drink it, cook with it, brush your teeth -- then you need to bring it to a boil for one minute first," said Martha Campbell, St. Augustine public works director.

The notice does not apply to residents of St. Augustine Beach.

The pipe burst about 11:30 a.m. at King Street east of the San Sebastian River. Contractor The Hardy Group was replacing the old water main with a new system when the break occurred, but it is not believed the break happened because of the construction, Campbell said.

For about half an hour water poured onto King Street, flooding the westbound lane and shutting it down. On Wednesday afternoon, Campbell expected the lane to be reopened at 6 p.m.

Traffic was diverted to Malaga Street.

When the water blew out the side of pipe, the city lost water pressure on Anastasia Island and on King Street west of U.S. 1. Residents also lost water in downtown areas, Campbell said.

In the next two days, city staff will take bacteriological samples before the water is cleared. The city will issue an updated notice on Friday.

Residents with questions can call 825-1040.

Boil Notice

* All City of St. Augustine water customers are under a water boil notice for the next two days.

* This means that to consume water, such as for cooking or brushing your teeth, residents should first boil it for one minute.

* If residents have questions or concerns about their water call the Public Works Department at 825-1040.

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