Longboat Key Water Quality: Advisories & Orders Explained

Longboat Key residents receive high-quality drinking water purchased wholesale from Manatee County. Both entities adhere to strict regulations and conduct 24/7 testing and maintenance to ensure the water remains free from contaminants.

An annual Consumer Confidence Report details water quality test results. Customers can contact 941-316-1988 for additional water quality information on regulated and non-regulated parameters, though this data is not integrated into the annual report because all values remain below Maximum Contaminant Levels.

Understanding the difference between a boil water advisory and a boil water order is crucial. An advisory signals an unconfirmed concern or potential water quality issue, often due to low-pressure events that could permit contamination. Laboratory results confirming safety can take up to 48 hours.

A boil water order indicates a likely threat to public health. The Town of Longboat Key, Manatee County, or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection may issue these orders for reasons such as water system repairs, the presence of fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria, high turbidity, or microbial pathogens.

Water quality maintenance involves continuous monitoring by water operators, the Town of Longboat Key, Manatee County, and the FDEP. Certified labs test water samples bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly to ensure safety for consumption, bathing, and cooking. The public water system contacts state regulators if contamination is suspected, and all events are reported to the FDEP.

Residents may observe water flowing from fire hydrants and water tanks, a standard maintenance practice called flushing. This process removes sediment from water lines and replaces stagnant water with fresh water. Flushing also expels potentially contaminated water after a water main break.

If a boil water order or advisory is issued, residents should boil water vigorously before use for drinking, diluting fruit juices, food preparation, and brushing teeth. Allow boiled water to cool before consumption. Bottled water is a practical alternative. Dispose of ice made before the advisory and remake it with boiled water. Disinfect dishes by immersing them for at least one minute in a solution of one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of clean tap water.

For the latest additional water quality information, residents can contact 941-316-1988.