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Precautionary boil water notice issued in northwest Hillsborough

Officials said water contamination is unlikely after a contractor damaged a water main.
 
Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news.
Check tampabay.com for the latest breaking news. [ Times ]
Published Dec. 16, 2020

TAMPA — A precautionary boil water notice was issued Tuesday night for a portion of northwest Hillsborough County.

The notice is in place for residents west of Veterans Expressway to Ehrlich Road, and those who are west of Gunn Highway to Racetrack Road all the way to the Pinellas County line, according to the Hillsborough County Water Resources Department.

Hillsborough officials said Tuesday night they were working to provide a map that more clearly shows which areas are affected. They did not say if bottled water would be distributed for free to residents.

The notice was enacted because a contractor damaged a 24-inch water main line just north of the Fawn Ridge Water Treatment Plant in Westchase, officials said.

Water service was restored Tuesday night, officials said. They still encouraged residents to boil water, however, until a rescission notice is issued.

Those who live in the affected area are encouraged to boil water for at least one minute before using it for consuming or cooking. It is still safe to shower, though, you should be careful not to accidentally drink any water, officials say.

Related: What you need to know about during boil water notice

The Water Resources Department said it‘s unlikely there is any contamination in the system. The precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.

Last week Tampa residents and businesses had to rely on bottled water and boil their water for three days while the city made emergency repairs to a water main that a contractor damaged a 36-inch pressurized transmission main at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility on the Hillsborough River, affecting the city’s clean water supply.

A break by a Tampa water treatment facility left the road flooded and the city on boil notice [ Courtesy of Karen Kress ]