Contact:

Lydia George, Public Information Officer
Lydia.George@flhealth.gov
863-578-2146

Polk County, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) urges residents to take necessary precautions following recent storms that have affected local water systems. As a result, several communities have issued boil water notices to ensure the safety of drinking water.

A boil water notice is a public health advisory that instructs residents to boil their water before consuming it. This precaution helps eliminate any harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites that may have entered the water supply during the storm.

Where to Find Boil Water Notices: Residents can access a current list of boil water notices by visiting the Florida Department of Health’s website.

Best Practices During a Boil Water Notice:

1. Boil Water: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
2. Use Bottled Water: If available, bottled water is a safe alternative during a boil water notice.
3. Wait for Notification: Continue boiling your water until the boil water notice has been lifted. Local utilities and the Department will notify residents when it is safe to use tap water again.
4. Cooling Water: Allow boiled water to cool before using it or refrigerate it in a clean container for later use.
5. Disinfecting Surfaces: When washing dishes, use boiled water or bottled water to sanitize them, especially items that come into contact with food.
6. Pets: Be mindful of pets by boiling their water or providing bottled water for drinking.

DOH-Polk emphasizes the importance of public health and safety, especially during storm recovery and is working closely with local water utilities to monitor water quality and lift notices as soon as it is safe to do so.

For further information and updates, please visit FloridaHealth.gov or contact DOH-Polk by calling 863-519-7900.