3 pipe breaks in Florida Keys deplete water reserves, utility says in asking for help
Three underground pipe breaks last week depleted the Florida Keys water utility’s reserves, and it’s asking customers to cut back on showers, avoid watering the grass and hold off on washing cars and boats.
“No conservation is too small,” Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Executive Director Greg Veliz said in an email to customers Monday morning. “Any and all efforts are greatly appreciated during this time, as we attempt to rebuild our water supply.”
The FKAA also issued a precautionary boil-water notice in effect until Wednesday evening.
Between Thursday and Saturday, workers scurried to fix three water main breaks in the same area in the Village of Islamorada in the Upper Keys.
The cascade of leaks not only caused major traffic delays along U.S. 1 up and down the island chain, it significantly reduced water pressure to customers, including Keys bars, restaurants and hotels that are going through the peak of the busy winter tourist season and spring break.
A hospitality industry worker in Key West said the issue is affecting businesses in simple, yet significant ways. For instance, fountain soda is poured from a gun that uses water from the FKAA. Most bars use fountain soda when mixing drinks.
Now, bar owners wary of serving their customers tap water have bought cases of soda instead.
Veliz said the FKAA has been forced to reduce output from its Florida City plant to relieve pressure on the system. While he said the utility is generating enough water to service the Keys, its reserves “have been depleted as a result of the leaks that occurred last week.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published March 13, 2023 at 4:17 PM.
