Tampa’s boil water notice will last until at least Thursday, Mayor Castor says

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Tampa Mayor Jane Castor provided an update on the water main break that prompted a citywide boil water notice on Monday.

The City of Tampa said a third party was working on a water improvement project when they punctured a transmission main from the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility, sending water gushing into the street.

“This is sort of ground zero for our water treatment,” Castor said at a press conference Tuesday.

According to Castor, the facility has a number of holding tanks, where treated water goes before its distributed. She said the break had an immediate effect on that, and was draining down all the city’s water.

“Had they not been able to reroute as quickly as they did, we literally would have run out of water for the city last night. They had about a foot left in those tanks before they were able to pump any water out,” Castor said.

Crews have been working overnight to repair the break. Their work should be completed sometime on Tuesday.

Officials issued a citywide boil notice Monday afternoon. Those living beyond city limits in Eastlake, Fairview, Herschel Heights, Pebble Creek, Palm River, and Seaboard are also being affected.

The break also forced Tampa to ban irrigation watering, but it has since rescinded that ban.

Castor said the city’s boil water notice will likely last until at least Thursday. A precautionary boil water notices typically last at least two days.

Castor said the city is providing bottled water for emergency use to restaurants and other businesses in need. Those in need of water can visit tampagov.net for more information.