Boil-water order lifted for most
Comes four days after a hole in a pipe sparked extensive water outages
Fort Lauderdale partially lifted a boil-water order Sunday, days after a Florida Power & Light subcontractor drilled a 6-inch hole into a critical water main and sparked a widespread water outage.
The boil-water notice was lifted for all areas within the city of Fort Lauderdale except for portions in the following neighborhoods of Harbor Beach, Harbour Inlet, Harbour Isles, and Breakwater Surf Homes neighborhoods. Wilton Manors lifted its order Sunday afternoon too.
The crisis Thursday prompted national headlines and trained a spotlight on the city’s aging water system.
Shortly before noon Sunday, Fort Lauderdale faced yet another water-related emergency as crews raced to repair a water main beak
in the vicinity of 1400 East Oakland Park Blvd.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the city said that repair has now been completed and that bacteriological surveys show that the water is safe to drink and for all other uses.
For now, Sunday’s water main break remains a mystery.
“I do not know the cause, but it does not appear to be related to the situation that occurred last week,” city spokesman Chaz Adams said.
Last week’s mistake affected an estimated 220,000 people.
Water customers from Fort Lauderdale, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Oakland Park, Port Everglades Authority, Sea Ranch Lakes, Wilton Manors and sections of Davie and Tamarac were able to pick up free water at three sites until 8 p.m. Sunday.
Fort Lauderdale is handing out water by the gallon at three sites: the Beach Community Center, 3351 NE 33rd Ave.; Mills Pond Park, 2201 NW Ninth Ave.; and Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave.
So far, the city has distributed approximately 8,900 cases of water.
Last week’s break took place on Wednesday but started out as a small leak, a city official said. The pipe collapsed while crews were making overnight repairs, and that’s what forced the city into crisis mode.
Most water pipes carry water from the plant to homes and businesses.
Not this one. It was bringing water from wellfields to the city’s main water plant, Fiveash Regional Water Treatment Plant, which supplies most of the city’s drinking water.
Crews made temporary repairs to the water main and a permanent fix is on the way, city officials say.
Work is expected to begin early next week.
Crews will redirect the water flow so a contractor can replace the damaged pipe. No interruptions to water service are expected. City Hall and other offices will operate on their normal schedules today.
Customers with questions are urged to call Fort Lauderdale’s 24-Hour Call Center at 954-828-8000.