Last Updated: 2:39 p.m.
2:39 p.m. update: Repairs have been finished, and water service is back on. However, customers in Flagler Beach’s mainland area are currently under a boil-water notice.
A contractor working on broadband installation for Metronet accidentally punctured Flagler Beach’s main water line on State Road 100 earlier today, disrupting the water supply for the city.
According to city officials, “Water has been turned off on the west side of the City,” leaving residents and businesses west of the Intracoastal without water. While the beach area still has water access, officials are asking residents there to conserve as the reserves are running low.
The beach area is equipped with a million-gallon water tank located on South Flagler Avenue, and the city maintains another water tower at the southern end of town, both of which contain reserves.
City crews quickly responded to the incident. City Commissioner Rick Belhumeur commented that they are familiar with what’s underground. “This affects the whole city as it’s the main pipe connecting to the island,” he noted. He also mentioned that some parts of the city might still have access to water from storage tanks, although the duration of that supply depends on how much residents limit their water usage.
City Manager Dale Martin compared the situation to a power outage—repairs are underway, but the timeline for completion is uncertain. He advised people to check the city’s Facebook page for updates.
A video shared by the Flagler Beach Police Department showed water gushing from a hole near State Road 100, specifically between a Sherwin Williams store and CVS Pharmacy. While water filled the ditches on both sides of the rupture, it didn’t impact businesses or the highway. The city is urging conservation until the issue is resolved.
So, how did this happen? Typically, utility crews are supposed to map out existing pipes and cables before digging to prevent such accidents. Martin mentioned that the contractor did request “locates” ahead of time but still managed to strike the water line. Investigating this will be part of a follow-up report, he stated.
Communication with utility customers has been ongoing through text messages, emails, and phone calls. Notably, Metronet has been working in Palm Coast over the past two years, during which contractors have also inadvertently damaged utility lines.
