The precautionary boil water notice issued earlier this week as a result of the water main break at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility is no longer in effect in our service area which includes the City of Tampa as well as parts of unincorporated Hillsborough County. Two rounds of water quality testing have shown satisfactory results with no evidence of contamination. The water in our service area is now confirmed to be safe to drink.
Businesses and residents that are reopening their facilities or using their water for the first time in several days will want to run their taps before using it for cooking or drinking. This will help to remove stagnant water from plumbing systems and brings in fresh water from water mains. The EPA has prepared additional guidance including a checklist for how to safely restore water quality after a period of low or no water use.
The Tampa Water Department experienced a loss of water pressure when a third-party contractor hit a 36-inch pressurized transmission main coming from the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 3:24 p.m. The damage resulted in the loss of 12 million gallons of water. Work crews were able to isolate the main and restore pressure throughout our system by 6:06 p.m.
A loss in water pressure can allow contaminants to enter the drinking water supply. In accordance with Florida Department of Health regulations, the Tampa Water Department issued a precautionary boil water notice to all the customers we serve. The damaged transmission main was a 36-inch cast iron water main that had been installed in 1941. At the time of its original installation, it connected to the Palma Ceia Elevated tank and was the only transmission main supplying water to the Peninsula. The pipe was replaced late Tuesday evening.
Media availability at 11:00 am with Dept. Administrator Brad Baird at 30th St and Howell.
Elias Franco, Water Distribution & Consumer Services Manager
Office: (813) 274-8335
Cell: (813) 352-3607
Fax: (813) 274-8358