FPL again blamed for water disruption

Residents of Lauderhill still must boil their water after utility workers cut into a water line Sunday, the latest episode involving Florida Power & Light Co.

A subcontractor for FPL cut into the 6-inch water main while trying to install a new utility pole at Northwest 26th Street and State Road 7.

City spokeswoman Leslie Johnson said 411 properties — 133 businesses and 278 homes — were still under a boil order Tuesday. It could be lifted Wednesday if tests show the water is safe to drink.

The affected area includes 2351-2551 NW 41st Avenue, 26th Street from State Road 7 to Northwest 42nd Avenue, and 2439-2701 State Road 7.

Lauderhill Mayor Ken Thurston said workers “were digging to the foundation so they could set the pole in place and in the process they nicked the water line.”

A representative from the subcontractor, Edison Power, of Mesa, Ariz., reported the break to the city’s water plant about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The city shut off the water, and the water main was fixed by 7 p.m., Johnson said.

FPL refused to identify the subcontractor, but the website for Edison Power says it is working for FPL in its hardening program, which is supposed to make the electrical system more resilient to storms.

A representative from Edison Power could not be reached for comment by phone or email

Tuesday.

Last month, another FPL subcontractor, Florida Communication Concepts, of Wellington, drilled into a critical water main in Fort Lauderdale, leaving some 220,000 people without drinkable water. The subcontractor said it had clearance to dig where it did, but the city said Florida Communication Concepts gave an incorrect location.

Five businesses that lost thousands of dollars during the water shutdown are suing FPL and Florida Communication Concepts.