Hillsborough County Water Resources Monitoring Water and Wastewater Systems

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 8, 2024) - As Hurricane Milton approaches the West Coast of Florida and threatens Hillsborough and the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County Water Resources is closely monitoring all water and wastewater systems to ensure service integrity. Should there be major damage to systems due to wind or storm surge, residents could experience service disruptions.

Drinking Water System: There are no immediate plans to shut down the drinking water system in advance of Hurricane Milton. Should a drinking water outage occur, a mandatory Precautionary Boil Water Notice will be required when the water is turned back on and will remain in effect for a minimum of 48 hours.

Wastewater System: To protect the wastewater collection system integrity and wastewater treatment plants, wastewater pump stations located in Zone A and B will be turned off when flooding occurs due to increasing rain and storm surge.

To help mitigate impacts on the systems during and immediately after the storm, Water Resources is encouraging residents to reduce wastewater-producing activities such as bathing and showering, washing clothes and dishes, and flushing over the next few days. Essentially, only use water for drinking and sanitation purposes as much as possible.

Here are some tips in advance of the storm for prepping water in your home:

1. Store emergency water for drinking.
   Amount: Aim for at least one gallon of water per person per day, for a minimum of seven days. Don't forget pets, which would require additional water.
   Storage Containers: Use clean, food-grade containers such as pitchers, pots and pans for storing water. If you're repurposing containers, make sure they are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
2. Fill additional containers for other purposes. Before the hurricane arrives, fill bathtubs, sinks, and large storage containers with water. These can be used for flushing toilets and cleaning purposes if water service is disrupted.
3. Disinfect and purify water for drinking.
   Boiling water: If you need to purify water, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute to kill most pathogens.
   Bleach treatment: For additional purification, add unscented liquid household chlorine bleach. Use 1/8 teaspoon (about 8 drops) per gallon of water, stir, and let it sit for 30 minutes before drinking.
   Water purification tablets: Consider having these on hand as an alternative to bleach for quick and easy water purification.
4. Protect your water supply.
   If you use a well for your water, consider installing a hand pump or alternative access in case of power loss. Check for any potential contamination risks around your home, such as fuel or chemical containers, and ensure they are securely closed and away from flood-prone areas.

For questions, please call Water Resources Customer Services at (813) 307-1000 or visit HCFL.gov.  

Get Connected. Stay Alert.

Make sure to have a plan. Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts. To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert. For the latest emergency-related information visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe. Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and helpline.