Stay Informed and Stay Safe!

A precautionary boil water notice is sent out when there is a concern that the water supply may be contaminated with microbes. The notice serves to protect public health by advising the affected community to boil their water before drinking it or using it for any activity that involves the consumption of water, like cooking, making ice, or brushing teeth.

Protecting the water supply

To ensure the delivery of safe drinking water to customers, Martin County Utilities has many built-in safeguards to prevent water contamination, including:

  • Proper water treatment
  • System pressure
  • Backflow prevention
  • Residual disinfectant
  • Routine bacteriological monitoring

What can trigger a boil water notice?

Several circumstances can create conditions where contaminants could potentially enter the water supply and result in the issuance of a boil water notice:

  • Water pressure loss or severe pressure reduction
  • Pipes breaking
  • Hurricanes, heavy rains, and flooding events that can disrupt water treatment and distribution systems
  • Routine system maintenance or other infrastructure issues
  • Water quality issues identified during monitoring

If one or more of these safeguards are compromised, then a boil water notice may be necessary until laboratory tests confirm the water is acceptable to drink.

How long does a precautionary boil water notice last?

Boil water notices don’t have a specific timeframe. They remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and bacteriological testing shows that the water is safe to drink. Customers will be notified when the boil water notice is lifted through the same method as the original notice.

What to do when you receive a Boil Water Notice:

It’s important to pay attention to public announcements during boil water notices and follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your family:

  • Use tap water only after boiling for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or any other activity that involves the consumption of water.
  • Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then let it cool before use. Boiling water helps to kill or inactivate harmful microorganisms that may be present.
  • Store the boiled water in clean, covered containers.

Alternative Water Sources:

When bottled water is available, it is a convenient alternative to boiling water.

Your Safety is Our Priority!

Stay informed and share this information with your community. To receive public safety messages, including boil water notices, sign up for AlertMartin at martin.fl.us/AlertMartin.

Martin County Utilities
3473 SE Willoughby Blvd., Suite 102
Stuart, FL 34995
(772) 221-1434