ANNA MARIA, Fla. — Manatee County officials have called for residents, vacationers and business owners to limit their water use on Anna Maria Island.
The advisory has come after a catastrophic water main break caused a temporary loss of water pressure to Anna Maria Island. Some customers lost water service altogether for some time.
The water main line located on Anna Maria Island Bridge that leads into Anna Maria Island blew out at around 4 p.m. Monday, Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge said in a news conference Tuesday. No one was hurt at the time.
Repairs have gotten underway and service was restored via another water line.
North River Fire Rescue has also donated a 2,000-plus gallon tanker to serve as a backup water supply in the case of a fire emergency. A water boat is also standing by to use salt water to put out a fire if needed.
"They can sleep a little better knowing that we know we have things taken care of if there is a need for a water supply. We got a plan in place if that situation arises and we're able to respond and mitigated perfectly," Capt. Derek Bill with Manatee County Fire said.
The county is working with a local contractor and the Florida Department of Transportation on the repairs.
One plan is to temporarily place the water main on the sidewalk until a permanent repair method is recommended.
Two water main lines run to Anna Maria Island. One is a 24-inch pipe on Cortez Road and the 16-inch supplemental line that runs under the Manatee Avenue Bridge which blew out.
There was a temporary loss of water pressure in Holmes Beach, another city on Anna Maria Island and in the city of Anna Maria However, that was restored quickly, Van Ostenbridge said. Utility crews responded quickly and capped the water main off and pressure was restored to the island.
At this time, the island is at about 80 percent water pressure so residents can take showers and take care of household needs and restaurants and businesses can operate.
"This is a result of the quick response by our utility department, by public works, and by the county administration," Van Ostenbridge said.
In addition, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Holmes Beach first responders helped out.
While repairs continue, the pipe is in the bay so FWC and Manatee County marine units help set up buoys and put out notices to make sure boaters steered clear of the pipe. Van Ostenbridge said boaters must stay in the channel when they're navigating underneath the bridge.