IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Tests Showed Coliform Bacteria in Riviera Beach Utility Special District Water
Our water system recently exceeded a drinking water standard. Although this was not an emergency, you are being notified because it is required, and you have the right to know about problems with the water, even if there is no immediate health threat, in addition to what we did to correct this situation.
We routinely monitor for drinking water contaminants as required by the Florida Department of Health. We collected 42 routine samples to test for the presence of coliform bacteria during July 2021; of that total, 5 of our samples showed the presence of total coliform bacteria. The standard is that no more than 2 samples per month may do so.
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.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been you would have been notified within 24 hours. Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful themselves. Coliforms are bacteria which are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially-harmful, bacteria may be present. Coliforms were found in more samples than allowed and this was a warning of potential problems.
Usually, coliforms could be an indication of problems with the system’s treatment, distribution system or the sampling sites. Whenever we detect coliform bacteria in any sample, we do follow-up testing, as required, to see if other bacteria of greater concern, such as fecal coliform or E. coli, are present. We did not find any of these bacteria in our subsequent testing.
What is being done?
The City’s water is within compliance with standards. Subsequent testing collected within 24 hours showed that this problem was resolved and additional samples do not show the presence of coliform bacteria. Additional hydrant flushing will occur to promote water quality.
For more information, please contact the Utility Main Office at 561-845-4185 or 600 W. Blue Heron Boulevard in Riviera Beach.
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.