June 3 Update: West Palm Beach Vulnerable Populations Water Advisory Remains In Effect

From the City of West Palm Beach:

June 3, 2021

The City of West Palm Beach Vulnerable Populations Water Advisory remains in effect. Vulnerable populations, as outlined in the advisory, should continue to follow the advisory. The advisory was issued after Cylindrospermopsin, a toxin produced by cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae), was detected by the city in the water system. The city proactively tests for the toxin, and the test isn’t required routinely for Treatment Facilities. Individuals not listed in the advisory may continue to use the water to drink, cook and bathe. The city anticipates being able to lift the Water Advisory upon receipt of test results. To read the May 28, 2021 advisory, click here!

TESTING:

The City of West Palm Beach continues to work with the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection with the hope of lifting the Water Advisory for Vulnerable Populations, which was first issued by the city on May 28. Water quality samples collected on June 1 and June 2 showed Cylindrospermopsin, a toxin produced by blue green algae, in our drinking water system at less than the Environmental Protection Agency’s national Health Advisory Level for vulnerable populations.

WATER DISTRIBUTION:

• POD TO OPERATE ON FRIDAY: The City of West Palm Beach will continue to operate a point of distribution (POD) at Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Avenue, for the distribution of water to vulnerable populations impacted by the Drinking Water Advisory. On Friday, June 4, 2021, the Gaines Park POD will operate from 9 a.m. – noon. Impacted water customers are requested to present ID.
• DISTRIBUTION TO DATE: The City of West Palm Beach has distributed 280,000+ bottles of water over five days of POD operation.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

The presence of the algal toxin is the result of environmental conditions. Public Utilities could not have prevented its development. When the blue-green algae toxin presented, the City of West Palm Beach Department of Public Utilities took immediate steps to mitigate the impacts and began Powdered Activated Carbon Treatment and, later, temporary free chorine water disinfection. The City has also introduced groundwater from the Eastern Wellfield and Western Wellfield to help reduce levels of algae in the system.

ADVISORIES & NOTICES:

The city issues water notice advisories in collaboration with appropriate regulatory agencies. These advisories cannot be issued without specific instructions on who is impacted by the advisory and specific guidance for affected individuals. As soon as the city was informed who was impacted by the Vulnerable Populations Water Advisory, it immediately alerted the public.

All advisories are posted on the city’s website wpb.org.

• To read the Vulnerable Populations Drinking Water Advisory issued May 28, 2021, click here!
• To read the Temporary Free Chlorine Water Disinfection for Water Customers Served by City of West Palm Beach Public Utilities, click here!

QUESTIONS:

Should the public have any questions about the Water Advisory or for additional information, please call the city’s hotline: (561) 822-2222 (TTY 800-955-8771).

This press release was produced by the City of West Palm Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.