Myakka City residents—whose well water has been compromised due to flooding from Hurricane Ian—can continue to pick up bottled water from the Myakka City Community Center at 10060 Wauchula Road.
After the storm passed, residents have been encouraged to get their well water tested to verify its safety. Unfortunately, the first round of tests has shown that a substantial number of private wells in the area were contaminated from the floodwaters.
Because of this, Manatee County is urging all residents whose wells are contaminated—or have yet to be tested—to boil all water used for drinking or cooking as a precaution. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient to eliminate any contaminates, or as an alternative, bottled water may be used.
The County has reestablished a water-distribution point at the Community Center to provide safe potable water for residents. Pallets of bottled water continue to be shipped in for distribution and will remain available until the community’s water is deemed safe. Residents are still encouraged to bring their water samples to the Community Center for testing through the Department of Health.
Beginning later this afternoon—and continuing daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.—residents can also pick up free bleach and directions to help disinfect their private wells, if testing has shown contamination. County leaders are also working with contractors to provide disinfection services to citizens with contaminated wells. More details on that will be communicated with affected citizens.
For questions about water safety and testing, call the Florida Department of Health at (941) 748-0747. For questions about community outreach and water distribution, call 3-1-1.
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