Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department employees are actively engaged in preparations for any anticipated impacts of Hurricane Matthew.
In the 11 years since Hurricanes Jeanne, Frances and Wilma, we have made vast improvements including facility hurricane hardening improvements to enhance our ability to maintain operations throughout the storm. Service to our customers remains our #1 concern. To ensure that our crews are well trained in the appropriate actions to be taken throughout the storm and its aftermath, we participate in Hurricane Preparedness drills annually.
Now that Matthew is on a path toward Florida, preparations are underway including moving all our generators into position, fully fueled and ready to go. These generators run the pumps necessary to reduce the potential spills from overflowing lift stations, should the power go out. We have expanded our fuel storage to operate seven days and have large generators to operate all our facilities under emergency power. Staff will be present at all plants 24/7. Our Water Utilities Department’s Emergency Operations Center will be monitoring the storm as it moves into our area keeping constant communications with work crews and the County Emergency Operations Center in central West Palm Beach.
For our customers, now is the time to stock up on drinking water. Once the storm hits our area, it is important to remember to conserve resources which will relieve pressure on the water and wastewater systems until any line breaks that may occur are repaired and electricity lost is restored. Preparations should include:
· Before the storm, fill your bathtub with water for washing, cleaning, and flushing the toilet.
· Have one gallon of water per person, per day available to meet your drinking and cooking needs for a two-week period.
· After the storm, do not immediately empty your bathtub and limit toilet flushing, as this could overwhelm the wastewater collection system, if there are power outages.
· After the storm, conserve water use as supplies might be limited. Refrain from unnecessary water use, such as washing driveways or doing laundry.
· If you notice a severe drop in water pressure, as a precautionary measure, boil water and monitor news casts for updated listings of boil water notices.
· Listen to the radio/TV news for updated information.
· Any questions regarding customer service for current Water Utilities Customers, please call our Communications line at 561-740-4001.
Palm Beach County Water Utilities (PBCWUD) provides potable water and wastewater collection services to the unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County serving over 500,000 residents.