Boil Order Issued for Jacksonville Myrtle Street Water Customers

A boil order is in effect for all Jacksonville Municipal Utilities customers on Myrtle Street between East Independence and East Lafayette avenues, the utility announced Tuesday morning. Superintendent Ricky Hearin described the action as a precautionary measure and said it will remain until further notice.

Residents in the affected area should use commercially bottled water or boil tap water for at least one minute at a full rolling boil before drinking, brushing teeth, or using it to prepare or cook food. The guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises avoiding swallowing water while showering or bathing, and providing pets with commercially bottled water or water that has been boiled and cooled.

The order applies to homes and businesses served by Jacksonville Municipal Utilities along the specified block of Myrtle Street. Customers should assume tap water is not safe to consume without treatment until the utility lifts the order. Boil orders are a standard public health step when there is any concern about potential contamination in the distribution system, and they are intended to reduce the risk of waterborne illness while the utility investigates and resolves the issue.

Practical steps for residents include using bottled water for drinking and food preparation, boiling tap water for one minute and allowing it to cool before use, and avoiding swallowing shower or bath water. Water used for washing dishes should be either from bottled sources or from boiled water, and laundry and non ingestion cleaning can continue as usual unless otherwise advised.

Jacksonville Municipal Utilities will issue an all clear when water tests show it is safe to resume normal use. In the meantime customers in the affected area should monitor communications from the utility for updates and instructions. Following the boil order and the CDC recommendations will help protect residents and pets while the utility addresses the situation.