City of Punta Gorda, FL

09/30/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2022 12:39

Ian Recovery Update

Much better connectivity today. For us, as I'm sure it has been for you, it has been extremely difficult to connect to voice, data and internet since about 10:00 p.m. the night of the storm. Today appears to much better. There is still no power and some water issues remain. Everyone at the City is working hard to get basic infrastructure services restored.

City of Punta Gorda Utility Customers that live in manufactured home parks water service is still out. When services come online there is a strong potential of leaks and breaks. At that point water will need to be shut off until the associations fix their lines.

We do not have an estimate of when sanitation services will resume. The landfill is currently closed and anticipated not to be open until next Tuesday or Wednesday. Please sort storm debris into two piles. Vegetation in one and building materials in another. Our debris hauler should be in town later today 9/30/2022.

If you have water service restored please use water sparingly. The generator for the wastewater lift stations is not going to be able to keep up if we do not limit water use. Burnt Store Isles and Burnt Store Meadows water is slowly coming back online.

A boil water notice means:

Near your vicinity, therefore; as a precaution, we advise that all water used for drinking or cooking be boiled. A rolling boil of one (1) minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used. You should plan to use this alternative water source for up to three (3) days.

General Instructions listed below:

  • Shut off and don't use water spigots with special filters on the kitchen sink or refrigerator.
  • Ice makers using piped water source should be turned off until the boil notice is lifted.
  • Utilize alternate water source (bottled, boiled, or disinfected) for the following:
    • Coffee Machines
    • Food Preparation
    • Dental Care/Cleaning
  • Hand washing multi-use utensils, glasses, or tableware in the sink by the wash, rinse & sanitized method is OK. To sanitize, pour boiling water over dishes after rinsing or pour water mixed with unscented bleach (1 &1/2 teaspoon to the gallon) '
  • Utilizing the dish washer is OK utilizing HOT water rinse
  • Showering is OK and recommended over bathing, but avoid consuming any water

Special Commercial Food Preparation Instructions listed below:

  • Water served to customers must be boiled/bottled/or disinfected.Plan to have or make at least one (1) gallon per seat per day.
  • Shut off water drink stations, water fountains, and beverage fountains that use tap water to mix with soda syrup or other beverages.
  • Water vending machines should be shut off, their filters and UV are not capable of overcoming a heavy influx of pathogens.
  • Machine washing multi-use utensils with hot water rinse or chemical disinfectant rinse is OK.Make sure temperatures and disinfectant dose meet code.
  • Plastic gloves for employees are best, however hand watering with antibacterial soap is OK.
  • For food that will be sold uncooked, and the consumer will cook it (example: raw meets), you should use only boiled/bottled/disinfected water in the processing.