Boil Water Advisory for Sarasota, Florida

A precautionary boil water advisory has been issued for an area on the west side of U.S. 41 from Worthington to Field, due to a spontaneous water main break that occurred late Tuesday, March 4.

Sarasota County Utilities crews have repaired the break, which affected several medical centers and restaurants, and have notified residents and businesses by automated telephone calls.
While the county has no reason to believe the drinking water was contaminated, Florida law requires that drinking water providers issue precautionary boil water advisories to customers affected by pressure losses in water mains.

While the advisory is in effect, the county advises affected customers to boil all tap water intended for drinking, preparation of food, washing of food utensils or for first aid, making sure the water is brought to a rolling boil for one minute. Boiling the tap water disinfects it, destroying any harmful microorganisms. Bottled water can be used as an alternative to boiling the tap water.

Over the next few days, the county will collect a series of samples in the affected area and analyze them to ensure the drinking water wasn't contaminated by potentially harmful bacteria during the service interruption. Once the county has completed its analysis, a process that normally takes two to three days, customers will notified by another automated telephone call that the boil water advisory has been cancelled.

For more information, contact Sarasota County Utilities Customer Service at 861-6790.