Water boiling order continues

A manager said the provider is awaiting more test results before deciding if the precaution can be lifted.

By PHIL DAVIS
Published July 6, 2005

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NEW PORT RICHEY - Lindrick Service Corp. on Tuesday told its utility customers to keep boiling their tap water for the sixth consecutive day.

The continued inconvenience increased tension between the utility and the roughly 9,000 people it serves. Already, a flood of complaints to elected officials has triggered multiple state investigations of the utility.

"Just keep boiling forever? This is insane," said Lucy Ellis, a Gulf Harbors resident. "It will be a week (Wednesday). When will it be lifted?"

A valve malfunction during pipe maintenance on June 29 cut off water service to about 2,700 households for nine hours in Lindrick's service area. The next day, the discovery of a leak prompted another shutdown for 90 minutes. The privately owned utility serves the seaside neighborhoods of Gulf Harbors, Sea Forest and several neighboring condominium complexes.

Utility manager Helen McNeil said that on Tuesday she received results from the first of two required bacteriological tests. But the water must pass two tests before customers can safely drink their water, use it to wash dishes or make ice. Results of the second test are expected Thursday. McNeil blamed the long holiday weekend for the delay in lifting the boil water order.

Phil Davis can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6247 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6247. His e-mail address is pdavis@sptimes.com