While the impact of any storm cannot be predicted, staff with the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) understand that the best way to ensure minimal impact to the life-essential service we provide our customers is through preparation. Thus, PBCWUD has spent considerable time over the past months preparing for this year's hurricane system. The portions of Palm Beach County served by PBCWUD has experienced minimal impact to the water and wastewater systems during past hurricane seasons and staff has studied actions taken before, during and after previous storms to further prepare for future hurricanes. Changes have been implemented, equipment has been checked and plants have been prepared for the 2019 hurricane season and are ready should our area be impacted by a storm in the months ahead.
 
IF A "BOIL WATER NOTICE" IS ISSUED
While not as common as with the electric grid, hurricanes can cause breaks in the potable water supply system, which necessitate the issuance of a "Boil Water Notice" until repairs are made and testing shows the system to be free from contaminants.

Should a "Boil Water Notice" be issued, remember that water should be brought to a rolling boil for one (1) minute and allowed to cool before it is used for drinking, cooking, washing dishes or brushing teeth.

Water may also be treated with chlorine by mixing eight drops of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach with a gallon of water. The chlorine bleach should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes before consumption.
 
AFTER A STORM PASSES
Many of the issues that arise with hurricanes come not during a storm, but in the aftermath. Widespread power outages affect the wastewater collection system as lift stations, which move wastewater to our plants, are suddenly without electricity. PBCWUD has 425 generators that are rotated among the 1,018 lift stations in our service area to ensure that wastewater doesn't back up into homes or onto the streets.

As electricity is returned to certain areas of the system, residents often drain tubs that have been holding emergency water and use washers to clean dishes and clothing that may have been used during the storm. With the wastewater system still running at a reduced capacity, this influx of water to the collection system can overwhelm the system and threaten the very back-ups that PBCWUD crews work 24 hours a day to prevent.

How can you help? Immediately following a storm, do not empty your bathtub and limit toilet flushing and washing clothes or dishes.

To guarantee you and your family have an adequate supply of drinking water before a storm, it is recommended that you have a two-week supply of one gallon of fresh, clean water per person, per day.

For more information on recommended supplies and ways to prepare your home and family, download the Palm Beach County Hurricane Survival Guide located here.​