Boil water advisory for some Toho Water Auth. users

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — A ruptured water main has forced the Toho Water Authority to issue a precautionary boil water alert.

Repairs to the pipe could take until midnight Tuesday, the water authority said in a press release.

The boil water alert is for residents located off of Pleasant Hill Road from Harbor Road to North Seward Street. Residents in the Eagle Lakes subdivision and Pleasant Hill Lakes subdivision are serviced by a separate water plant and not affected by the boil water alert, officials said.

Residents might experience low water pressure and water outages while repairs are being made, the water authority said.

The water authority sent the following information for those affected by the water alert:

Once water is restored residents should boil their water prior to consumption (drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes) as a precautionary measure.  A vigorous boil for one minute is adequate to render water bacteriologically safe for drinking. As an alternative bottled water may be used. The boil water alert will be in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink at which time the boil water alert will be lifted (rescinded) by Toho Water Authority.

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

• Bringing the water to a rolling boil and holding it there for one (1) minute
• Using a disinfecting chemical. If you cannot boil water, you should put eight (8) drops of common household bleach which is about 1/8^th teaspoon, into one (1) gallon of tap water, then shake it, and allow it to stand for 30 minutes before drinking. If the water is cloudy, use sixteen (16) drops, about 1/4^th teaspoon of bleach instead of 8, shake it, and let it stand for 30 minutes. There should be a slight chlorine odor. Use common household bleach that has 5% to 6% active ingredients. Use food grade containers. Don't use bleach that has perfume scents added.
• Using water purification tablets or iodine that many sports and camping stores sell
• You can also buy commercial bottled water for consumption and food preparation.

Consumption includes brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, and homemade ice. Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving and washing, so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in eyes or nose or mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have their baths supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the notice is lifted.

For more information, please contact Toho Water Authority at (407) 944-5000.

WFTV