ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg officials announced water services are back on after the city shut it down during Hurricane Milton.
Residents can now take a shower and use it for drinking and brushing their teeth but should boil it first.
Officials issued the boil-water notice at a news conference Thursday morning.
The services were shut down at around midnight as Milton battered the Tampa Bay region. Water was shut off due to a main break.
What to do under boil water notice
Residents in the affected areas are advised to use bottled water or boil tap water before using it for cooking, drinking or personal hygiene.
Residents should follow these steps to disinfect their tap water:
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to ensure
bacteria, viruses or parasites are gone. - If the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or
coffee filter before boiling. - Water must be adequately cooled before it can be used for washing or brushing
teeth. Store the boiled water in clean, covered containers.
Officials added if there's no way to boil water, residents can add 1/8 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for at least half an hour before using. They add it's not an ideal solution.
