A power surge this morning briefly knocked the Bunnell water plant off line, interrupting water service city-wide, Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson said. The interruption resulted in a cautionary boil-water advisory for residents and businesses across the city.
The plan was offline for about 20 minutes, the city manager said.
Water service was restored, but since the water pressure fell during the interruption, a precautionary boil water notice was issued, and will be in effect for up to three days, depending on tetsing. The city by law is required to conduct three successive tests, the city manager said, to ensure that the water meets standards before the notice can be lifted.
“As a precaution, we advise our customers to boil tap water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative, bottled water may be used,” Dustin Vost, the city’s infrastructure director, said in a notice issued this morning.
Tap water can be disinfected by adding eight drops of unscented household bleach (4 to 6 percent active ingredients) to each gallon of water, then mixing the water and allowing it to stand for a minimum of 30 minutes. Note: cloudy water requires 16 drops of bleach and a 30 minute contact time. Also, other approved chemical disinfectants are available at stores that sell camping and hiking supplies.
This “precautionary boil water notice” will remain in effect until water analysis demonstrates that no bacteriological matter is present in the water supply. The rescission of this notice will be delivered to you as soon as the test results are received and normal water consumption and use may resume.
Separately, the city announced that Elm Avenue will temporarily be closed to all traffic due to a collapsed underground culvert pipe due to Thursday’s heavy rain storm. The areas of greatest impact will be Elm Ave, Sherman Street and Lincoln Street.
Residents need to be aware during this repair period that travel will be blocked and access to their homes may require a detour to South Bay Street and State Road 11.
Time of the full road closure is undetermined at this time. Notice will be provided using the City website, Facebook and hand delivered notices whenever possible. For additional information, please contact Infrastructure Director Dustin Vost at (386) 437-7515.
LAW ABIDING CITIZEN says
Keep building [email protected]@t on top of poor infrastructure.
JOE D says
I would hope in the future ( if not present currently) that the water treatment/pumping facility would add back up power generator capabilities.
Instead of some of these other proposed spending projects being planned….I would think the water supply system being backed up would be MORE of a priority. Maybe the power surge took out the generator (if there is one) too?
After all the recent storms, we REALLY need to plan ahead!
Ronald justice says
Joe,
They do have a generator. But they obviously don’t do maint. on it. That’s what happens when people are not qualified to do their job. Welcome to Bunnell.
JOE D says
That’s sad….and somewhat DANGEROUS. I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Certified Nurse Case Manager who used to work for an Internationally known East Coast University Teaching Hospital. They did MONTHLY testing of their back up generator system. I would think a 30-90 day rotation of testing schedule for the Burnell water site would be the minimum acceptable for even a SMALL community LIFE system?!?
PRIORITIES???
ronald justice says
Joe,
Yes there is a state law concerning water plants and generators. You will have to look it up because you will not find facts on this “left leaning” blog site. Unfortunately Bunnell has a history of hiring people that are not qualified as i said in my last post. Look it up.
JOE D says
???what does “left leaning” ( or “right leaning” for that matter) have to do with maintaining a back up generator at a water treatment plant???
Does EVERYTHING have to be turned into an “us” against “them” political argument?
REALLY!?!
Let's give the City Manager a raise... says
The City isn’t maintaining anything. Total incompetence. Flooding, means they are not maintaining ditches and catch basins, the water plant has a generator, a new one, what happened there?
Garbage trucks breaking down, why?
Incompetent City Manager and his staff. I’m tired of paying the highest taxes for the absolute worst services.
ronald justice says
Agree. Thats what happens when you hire people that are not qualified to do their job. Look it up. Do your homework people before you vote.
for real says
I agree, We pay lots of money, and the services we receive are horrible. It isn’t just the taxes. My water , sewer, garbage bill is outrageous.
Susan R Lupien says
Why wasnt the jail following the boil water notice? Didnt provide bottled water to inmates or boil water. I’d like an explanation as to why this lack of concern for the people being held in custody?
C’mon man says
Maybe if they didn’t break the law they could buy their own water.
ronald justice says
Now thats funny. i don’t care who you are. lol.