MARK SCHUMANN
Vero Beach Water and Sewer Department Director Rob Bolton issued a press release yesterday advising customers of the City’s water system to continue boiling all water used for drinking and cooking through today, Feb. 3.
Results of tests taken Monday did not show any contamination of bacteria, according to Bolton. He stressed that the boil water notice will remain in effect until a second day of test results are received showing no contamination. Those results, Bolton indicated, should be available sometime this afternoon.
The boil water notice was triggered after Sunday evening’s three-hour power outage to half the City’s 34,000 electric customers, including the water treatment plant. According to Bolton, who reported to the City Council yesterday, backup generators at the water treatment plant kicked in at the time power was lost, but back up batteries for an automated power switch failed. With the failure of the power switches, critical pumps were left with out power, causing the water pressure in the system to drop.
Bolton said the battery powered power switching system was jested just three weeks ago. A new system, he said, has now been installed.
According to City Manager Jim O’Connor, the power outage was triggered by a problem in a transformer at the City’s power substation located south of Sate Road 60 on 58th Avenue.
Indian River Guardian 
This has made this household appreciate having good water available. We take it for granted–just like many things we have today.
Just spoke to the WWTP. The boil water order has been lifted. All samples tested OK