To: Customers of Village of Palm Springs Utilities
Unfortunately, the Village does not have an E-mail address for every customer (more than 13,000 customers) and, as a result, we have worked through various mediums to provide public notice to all utility customers as quickly as possible. We apologize for this inconvenience and we are hopeful that it will not go past this Monday. Our staff is working diligently to ensure the water that is provided is safe and meets all state and local required standards. We know that this is a significant inconvenience for our customers and we apologize and are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible.
As information, the Village has taken the following steps to notify our customers of this issue:
. Prepared and posted a press release on the Village’s website home page as a news brief (in the center of our home page under the pictures scroll) and as an emergency alert (at the top of the home page)
. Posted the press release on the Village’s social media sites - NextDoor, Twitter, Facebook
. E-mailed (on multiple occasions) and requested the local media (television and newspapers) to announce information within the press release (At least one television station has reported this information)
. Posted information about the boil water notice on the Village’s LED sign
. Sent text messages to all customers signed up to receive emergency alerts and/or news briefs that are posted on our website - To sign up, visit the Village’s website -www.vpsfl.org
. Sent E-mails to all customers signed up to receive emergency alerts and/or news briefs that are posted on our website - To sign up, visit the Village’s website - www.vpsfl.org
. Sent out an E-newsletter (by E-mail) to all customers signed up (including HOA contacts that have been provided) - To sign up, visit the Village’s website - www.vpsfl.org
Additionally, the Town of Lake Clarke Shores has added information regarding the boil water notice on their website and have utilized their reverse 911 telephone calling service to notify customers. We are also hopeful that you would be willing to help us notify those that are not aware by letting your neighbors know about this boil water notice.
With regards to those who are affected, all of the highlighted areas within the attached map and within the dashed areas are effected. Further, we have provided an attachment that provides recommended practices on how to best follow the boil water notice.
Again, we apologize for this inconvenience. We will utilize the tools above to let our customers know when the boil water notice has been rescinded. Thank you for understanding that we are working to continue to provide you with the safest drinking water possible.
Rich Reade
Village Manager
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The Village of Palm Springs is committed to ensuring that we provide the highest quality of water to all of our customers. It is a priority that our staff takes very seriously and we value the trust that our community provides us with. ensure that we are providing water that meets all state and local required standards, the Village completes water testing/sampling daily. However, during routine sampling throughout the Village’s potable (drinking) water distribution system, total coliform was confirmed in some of the samples that were taken.
As a result and as a precaution, we are advising that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and/or washing dishes be boiled. To ensure the highest levels of safety, a rolling boil of one minute is sufficient or, as an alternative, bottled water may be used. For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/Boil-Water-Proceedures.
The “Precautionary Boil Water Notice” affects utility customers within Palm Springs, Lake Clark Shores and parts of unincorporated Palm Beach County. A map of the Village’s Utility Service Area is attached showing the affected areas.
This “Precautionary Boil Water Notice” will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. The public will be notified immediately through the local media, Village website (www.vpsfl.org), Village E-newsletter, social media accounts, etc. when this issue has been resolved.
Again, the health and welfare of the public is the top priority for the Village and staff is actively working with the Palm Beach County Health Department to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may provide.
Total Coliform Bacteria:
Coliform are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliform were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.
For further, information and/or updates, please visit our website at www.vpsfl.org.
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Contact: Matt Hammond, Public Service Director – mhammond@vpsfl.org