Boil water alert creates problem for Wedgefield residents

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — People in one East Orange County neighborhood have to boil their water before cooking Wednesday.

The water utility Pluris put out a boil water order in Wedgefield after a pipe broke.

Residents said the neighborhood has been battling the utility over water problems and rate hikes for several years, and last month, they dealt with three water line breaks in just a week and a half.

Hundreds of residents said that in the past, they never received boil water notices in time, so they drank the dirty water, which made some people sick.

"I'm trying to peel apples to make my apple pie, and I need to wash them first, but you can't do that unless you boil the water," said neighbor Debbie Linn said.

Pluris recently raised rates by 15 percent.

The Public Service Commission has issued an order to suspend that increase.

Residents will meet with the commission on December 5 to try to find a permanent solution.

WFTV