Edited to add (in response to several questions/concerns):
What if I already ate / drank / brushed my teeth? Will I get sick?
This is a precautionary notice. We are completing testing on all 90 test sites throughout the service area and have not found any contamination at this time. If any contaminants are found, impacted customers will be notified of a mandatory boil water notice.
Information from the Department of Health: “For a Precautionary Boil Water Notice, it is highly unlikely that anything actually entered the water system. If it did it would most likely be a type of bacteria that could cause digestive irregularities. If severe diarrhea or cramping occurs or if diarrhea or cramping occurs and lasts more than 3 to 4 days, contact your doctor.”
What is the different between a Precautionary Boil Water Notice and a Mandatory Notice?
Precautionary Notice means that an incident occurred in which there is a slight chance of backflow or bacteria the entering system, such as, low or no pressure or a water main break or a disruption in the water plant. A Mandatory Notice is issued when a microbiological contaminant is known to actually exist in the water in an amount that exceeds the allowable maximum contaminant level for drinking water standards.
How do I sign up for future alerts?
Automated calls are going out to all customers on the number listed on their account. This takes some time.
Go to mywinterhaven.com and click the red alert bar. When you get to the alert page, on the right there is an option titled “notify me”. Sign up and enable alerts. You will receive text messages immediately as all alerts are posted in the future, or updates to this alert are posted.
Can I take a shower?
Yes. Just be careful not to drink the water while you shower or bathe.
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Winter Haven, FL – In the early morning hours of April 3, 2025, the City of Winter Haven Water Utility system experienced a temporary disruption to its water service operations due to a technological system interruption affecting water plant controls.
Water service has since been restored citywide. Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with Florida Department of Health requirements, a Precautionary Boil Water Notice has been issued for all Winter Haven water customers.
WHAT HAPPENED
At approximately midnight, a disruption in our control systems caused water plant pumps to shut down, leading to a drop in system pressure in parts of our service area. While power outages as a cause of the technology disruption have been ruled out, the exact cause is still under investigation. Our staff manually restarted all plants, and service was restored to most areas shortly after 7:30 a.m.
CURRENT STATUS
Water service is now back online and operating normally throughout the city. System pressure is steadily returning to normal, and water storage tanks are actively refilling. Our crews are on-site at all plants to monitor operations, and we have initiated water quality testing through the entire system.
As a standard safety measure, when system pressure drops, there is a risk of backflow or contaminants entering the system. Therefore, all customers are advised to boil water intended for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one to two minutes, or use bottled water. This notice will remain in effect for 48 hours or until bacteriological testing confirms that the water is safe to consume.
WHAT WE’RE DOING
City teams responded swiftly to restore operations and will continue working with technical partners to evaluate the root cause of the interruption. Our focus remains on ensuring safe, reliable water service and minimizing the chance of future occurrences.
STAY INFORMED
Customers will receive automated calls if a number is on file, and updates will be shared via the City website, social media channels, and local media outlets. For questions, please contact us at (863) 291-5678.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to maintain the safety and integrity of our water system.
