Another example infrastructure needs attention
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — A precautionary water boil alert that lasted throughout the weekend was lifted Tuesday morning.
Pressure in the system dropped causing more than 5,000 residents to lose water the morning of Oct. 6. Once that happens, a water boil alert is issued until testing confirms the water is safe to drink, use to wash dishes, brush your teeth, etc.
Two consecutive days of testing are required to confirm potability. Because of the weekend, residents were cautioned to continue boiling their water until Tuesday.
According to Starke City Manager Drew Mullins, a mechanical failure at the southwest water treatment facility resulted in the system losing pressure. Residents on the perimeter of the city began losing water pressure as the storage tanks were drained until eventually everyone citywide was without water.
The city manager described the problem as a programming issue that prevented a pump from turning on as scheduled. Compounding the problem was the ongoing tank maintenance. The water tower has been down for two months, and the city has been fed by the southwest plant as it was designed to do.
Mullins said employees had the facility up and running in around an hour. Many had to react to the situation, however. School within the city was canceled on Friday, and families were informed to pick up students. A number of businesses were also impacted, including restaurants and coffee shops, resulting in lost revenue.
Mullins said the unfortunate impact on families and business owners is one more example of why the city must focus on improving its infrastructure.
