Our water system recently detected a fecal indicator (coliform bacteria), E. coli, in our Oregon #4 well, one of our 12 production wells, which supplies water to the Main Water Plant. Samples collected from treated water in the distribution system were absent for coliform bacteria. There is no need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation. City of Sanford (City) routinely monitors for drinking water contaminants. On April 26, 2022, the City learned that the assessment sample for our Oregon #4 well for the month of April was E.coli, positive. The Oregon #4 well that tested positive for E. Coli was immediately taken offline and will remain offline until follow-up sampling shows the well is absent for coliform bacteria. As required by Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Ground Water Rule, one of our follow up steps is to collect additional samples from this well within 24 hours to determine the extent of the problem. This sampling will occur on April 27, 2022.
What should I do?
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. Fecal indicators are microbes whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term health effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. The symptoms above are not caused only by organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. People at increased risk should seek advice from their health care providers about drinking this water.
What is being done?
City of Sanford personnel will collect additional samples from Oregon #4 well within 24 hours to determine the extent of the problem. The City will keep you informed of the steps we are taking to protect your drinking water and will provide information on any steps you should be taking, until this problem is corrected. For more information, please contact Richard Casella at (407) 688-5095 or write to P.O. Box 1788 Sanford, Fl.32772 Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
This notice is being sent to you by City of Sanford State Water System ID# 3590205 Date Sent: 4/27/22
TO: City of Sanford customers at 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209 & 211 Marc St
Due to a service interruption in Sanford (see above for specific addresses), you are being advised that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled vigorously for at least one (1) minute, or use bottled water. This Precautionary Boil Water Notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink. Please contact the City of Sanford Information Line at (407) 688-5115 for a status report on your water. We will continue to flush and sample your water until we are assured it is safe. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Stay Connected, Stay Informed
The City of Sanford partners with Seminole County and Alert Seminole on a variety of topics including notifying our residents about boil water notices and other safety concerns.
Seminole County residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts through Alert Seminole, Seminole County’s emergency notification and warning system. Residents can sign up to receive emergency alerts via text, e-mail, or voice call about a variety of potential public safety and environmental hazards, including:
- – Boil water notices and other safety concerns
- – Significant weather events, including hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms
- – Evacuations
- – Shelter-in-place orders
- – Emergency shelter information
- – Highly disruptive road closures
The City of Sanford Utility Department uses this tool to target messages to customers who may be impacted by Utility incidents, including storm related issues affecting residents.
Register today. www.alertseminole.org
Water Quality Alerts and Service Updates
The City of Sanford (City) is committed to providing safe drinking water to our customers. Sometimes, during planned system maintenance and construction or during unforeseen emergencies which could compromise water quality, it may be necessary to issue a precautionary (preventive) boil water notice to our customers. Some examples of unforeseen emergencies are broken water mains, loss of disinfection, treatment disruptions, hurricanes or floods, and losses of power or pressure at our facilities/water distribution system.
If your area is under a boil water notice, you should boil all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing fruits/vegetables and dishes prior to use. Heat the water to a constant, rolling boil for at least one (1) minute, or use bottled water. The water is safe for bathing, laundering, and other non-consumptive uses.
Do not add bleach, chlorine, or any other substance, as a disinfectant to water in an effort to make it drinkable, as this may be extremely hazardous to your health. The most effective means to insure your safety is to boil water.
The boil water notice will usually remain in effect for at least two (2) days while water samples are collected in the field and analyzed in the lab by a third party company. Customers should follow boil water procedures until the City notifies them thru the Boil Water Alert Information Line and the City’s website that the boil water notice is lifted and the water is safe for consumption. The City uses Alert Seminole to notify customers of boil water notices and rescission (lifting) of the notice if large areas of the City are affected – please sign up for Alert Seminole HERE.
After your water service is resumed, it is advised that residents open their faucets for a few minutes to clear their water lines. Do not use the water until the water is running clear.
You can call the Boil Water Alert Information Line at (407) 688-5115 for information on the status of a boil water notice.
——————————————Stay Connected with Social Media ——————————————
📣 New Podcast! "Florida's Emancipation Day 2022 Event in Historic Georgetown at Hopper Academy" on @Spreaker #cityofsanfordpodcast #emancipationproclamation #historicgeorgetownneighborhood #history_heritage #sanfordsays
Read MoreNew Business Spotlight - Caliber Collision Click to learn more about this Sanford business.
Read MoreThe City of Sanford is conducting diagnostic ‘smoke testing’ of gravity sewer in some areas of the City from May 9 to May 20. via @Nextdoor
Read More