To: Customers of Village of Palm Springs Utilities
As part of the Village’s
commitment to providing the highest quality water possible that meets all state
and local required standards, the Village maintains a certified onsite laboratory,
three full-time laboratory technicians, and numerous licensed water treatment
operators that complete water testing/sampling daily. This testing includes chlorine
residual, pH, and turbidity samples at each water treatment plant every three
hours; chlorine residual samples throughout the water distribution system, including
at the entry point to the Lake Clark Shores water system, every day; and forty bacteriological
samples throughout water distribution system and at each well every month among
others.
During Friday's routine bacteriological
testing several samples returned positive for total coliform. Coliform are
bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an
indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. Out of an
abundance of caution for the health and welfare of our customers the Village
was required by the Palm Beach County Health Department to issue a system-wide
precautionary boil water notice.
As a result, extensive sampling (40
samples per day) was completed today and yesterday throughout the water system
by an independent laboratory to ensure the safety of our drinking water. At
this point in time there have been no indications that harmful bacteria are
present in our drinking water. However, the complete results from this sampling
will not be available until Monday evening, at which time we are hopeful to
lift the precautionary boil water notice. Please
note that it is very important that the precautionary boil water notice
continue to be followed until further notice.
Please continue to check our
website (www.vpsfl.org) for the most
up-to-date information.
We take the trust that our
community places in us to provide safe, great tasting drinking water very
seriously. We know that this is a significant inconvenience for our customers,
which is why Village staff is working around the clock to resolve this issue as
quickly as possible.
Thank you for your patience as we
work to protect the health and welfare of our community.
Matthew Hammond, PE
Public Service Director
____________________________________
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
____________________________________
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.
____________________________________
Contact: Matt Hammond, Public Service Director – mhammond@vpsfl.org