Lindrick water customers find faucets dry

A broken pipe disrupts water service from Monday morning to Tuesday evening. Reports differ on how many homes were affected.

By ALISA ULFERTS

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 2000

It was late Tuesday afternoon, and Bonnie McLeod still hadn't had her morning shower.

"We have guests," the Gulf Harbors woman said.

"We should have checked into a hotel and sent the bill to Lindrick."

McLeod was among the Lindrick Service Corp. customers who lost water Monday morning after a 6-inch pipe broke along Floramar Terrace. The exact number of customers affected is uncertain; county health officials said they were originally told by Lindrick that 18 homes were affected, but residents who contacted the Times said hundreds probably were without water. Service was restored about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Officials with Lindrick, a private utility company with a controversial history of environmental problems, could not be reached for comment. But a receptionist who answered the phone at noon Tuesday said all available personnel were working to fix the problem.

Ken Swann, environmental health director for the county health department, said Lindrick customers would receive instructions from the utility to boil their water for at least two minutes before using it. The boil water notice will continue until water samples test clear of bacteria, health officials said, adding that such procedure is standard.

McLeod said she was told by crews fixing the leak that the pipe simply collapsed on itself. She lost water Monday morning, had it restored briefly, then lost it again.

The same thing happened to Judy Studer.

"Our entire street is out," Studer said, adding that her home is on Windward Way, where about two dozen families live. Studer said she had water service restored briefly Monday but it went out again Tuesday.

The city of Port Richey is considering buying the aging utility for $15-million. County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, who lives in Lindrick's service area, has asked County Administrator John Gallagher to review those plans.

Staff writer Alisa Ulferts covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or (800) 333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is ulferts@sptimes.com.

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