The Flagler Beach city government announced Monday that the Ocean Marina neighborhood would be entering a boil water notice starting at 7:00 am on Tuesday. Under these notices, residents are advised not to swallow or consume tap water, while normal activities like bathing and showering are still safe.
This particular boil water notice will be commencing due to a repair at a nearby fire hydrant. The notice will continue for 72 hours, meaning it’s scheduled to be lifted Friday morning. During that time period, residents in the Ocean Marina community would be advised to drink bottled water only, or conduct one of two processes to ensure the drinking safety of the tap water. Although the notice is slated to be lifted on Friday, Flagler Beach says it will only lift the notice once tests are conducted to ensure that the tap water is safe to drink.
Where is the Affected Area?
The Ocean Marina community is located on the north end of Flagler Beach, just south of the city border with Beverly Beach. The community consists primarily of a group of condominiums off Ocean Marina Drive, which is the next off of SR-A1A north of N 23rd Street.
Additional landmarks when driving north are the Oceanshore Car & RV Wash and Java Joint Beachside Grill, both of which are located just before the Ocean Marina community. The city’s utility department confirmed that both Java Joint and the nearby Turtle Shack Cafe are safe to patronize during the notice. It will only affect residents of the community.
How to Decontaminate Tap Water
Those wishing to boil their water for consumption are advised by the Flagler Beach city government to bring to a rolling boil and hold it there for one minute. Once the water cools down, it can be safely consumed.
Alternatively, a process was laid out for chemically disinfecting the water: eight drops of common unscented household bleach (or one-eighth of a teaspoon) should be placed into one gallon of tap water, followed by shaking it and then letting it sit for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, residents are advised to double the amount of bleach, and then again shake it and let it sit for 30 minutes. At this point a slight chlorine aroma is expected, the city says.
Lastly, the usage of water purification tablets or iodine are also safe ways to decontaminate tap water during the boil water notice. These are commonly sold at many sports and camping stores in the outdoor equipment section.
What’s Safe to Do?
The city’s statement advises that consumption of tap water should be avoided under the boil water notice unless one of the aforementioned methods of purification are carried out beforehand. ‘Consumption’ is defined as drinking or usage for brushing teeth, washing produce, and freezing for ice cubes.
It is considered safe to take a shower or a bath with the tap water, but those doing so should be careful not to let any of the water in their eyes, nose, or mouth. The city advises that children and disabled people should have their baths and showers supervised.
Additionally, those with recent surgical wounds, those who are immunosuppressed, or those with a chronic illness are advised to consider using only bottled water or disinfected tap water for hygiene purposes while the boil water notice is under effect.
The city government asks anyone with questions about what to do during the notice to (386) 517-2000.
