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Directorio de A. Públicos
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water
- Q: Is a lot of water used for growing vegetables and other kinds of agriculture?
A: That depends on your definition of "use". At times vegetable growers move a lot of water around, i.e. they pump water into their field ditches to maintain the water table for sub-surface seepage irrigation and pump water out of their ditches when rainfall is excessive to keep the extra water from "drowning" their plants (killing the root system.) The actual amount of water that is consumed or that leaves the area is actually very small. For example, usually a spring crop of tomatoes yields 2,000 cartons of fruit per acre. Given 25 pounds of tomatoes per carton, tomato fruit containing 80% water, an acre inch or water at 27,000 gallons, and a gallon of water weighing 8 pounds; slightly less than 1/5 acre inch of water would be removed in the fruit to be shipped out of the area.
Other portions of the water "used" for growing the crop are returned to the local area. About 37 acre inches of water enter the atmosphere through evapotranspiration during the four month crop period and return as rainfall. Approximately 12 acre inches of water are returned to the ground water via deep percolation through the soil profile and can be pumped out again as well water. The two acre inches of water which are taken up by the plants in the roots, stems, and foliage remain in the field and are returned to the soil at the end of the crop.
- Q: Who do I call if I have a question about my water bill?
A: Call the Water Utilities Department Customer Service Center at 561-740-4600. They can answer questions and give you tips on how to save water. If your account is delinquent, it may incur past due charges. If the entire balance is not received within 10 business days of the past due statement date, your service is subject to termination without further notice. If you cannot pay your bill, call Customer Service!
- Q: What is a boil water notice and when do I need to boil my water?
A: If water service in your neighborhood needs to be interrupted to facilitate repairs to a water main, you may be requested to boil your drinking water as a precautionary measure. If less than 300 people in your neighborhood are affected, a tag will be hung on your door to notify you. If more than 300 people are affected, you will be notified through the local media. For details on boil water notices, contact the Water Utilities Department at 561-740-4600, select option 4.
- Q: What is the county procedure for cleaning a canal?
A: The Engineering Department maintains canals for drainage purposes, not necessarily for aesthetics. The Road & Bridge Division cleans the canals twice a year. If you notice that a canal is not draining properly, you can call the Action Center at 561-684-4012 or 4018.
- Q: I must moved into a new home and my insurance company needs to know the distance between my home and the nearest fire hydrant and fire station. Where will I find this information? This information is offered as a courtesy and can be obtained by calling the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Water Officer at 561-616-7000.
- Q: How safe is our drinking water?
A: The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (561-740-4600) exceeds all water quality standards for local, state and federal regulations. An Annual Water Quality Report is mailed to our customers every year.
- Q: Do I need a permit to fill my pond?
A: No, but you must comply with the requirements of the Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code Article 16.3 for Formal Notification to the Palm Beach County Health Department. The notification process requires the property owner to submit the following to the PBCHD: a check for $25.00, a copy of the property survey prepared by a Registered Land Surveyor, the property owner's name, address and phone number, the clean fill material to be utilized (uncontaminated rock, concrete or soil are permitted materials), the amount of clean fill to be used, and the anticipated start date which must be at least 45 days after initial notification is complete. Clean fill material may not be stored on the property until after the 45 day period has expired. If you have any questions regarding clean fill activities on your property in Palm Beach County, please contact Dianne Strock at 561-355-3023.
- Q: How can I find out about the quality of the water in a lake?
A: For questions about water quality, cleaning trash, removing plants, restoration or littoral shelves, call Environmental Resource Management at 561-233-2400.
- Q: Who do I call about a fire hydrant leak or a water main break?
A: Contact the Water Utilities Department 24-hour Emergency Center at 561-740-4600, selection option 3.
- Q: I have a pond (or canal) on my property. Could you come out and test the water so I can decide if I should allow my children to go swimming?
A: The Palm Beach County Health Department and other agencies have tested the water in many inland ponds and canals over the years and have concluded that the quality of the water in these ponds/canals can vary a lot but most of the time is not suitable for swimming. Most of these bodies of water were excavated principally to drain south Florida. Storm water runoff is laden with many undesirable contaminants such as pesticides, animals feces, oils and greases just to name a few.
- Q: I'll be out of town for the summer. Can I shut off my water service while I'm gone?
A: You may temporarily turn off water service, but you will be responsible for paying a monthly customer account fee and base facility fee for service. Turning off your water will prevent unauthorized use of water and possible complications arising from faulty appliances or leaks. Please allow the Water Utilities Department (561-740-4600) three days notice to turn off or turn on your water service. There is no charge to turn off your water during normal business hours, but a $10 fee will be assessed to turn your service back on.
- Q: Does my property have water and sewer service?
A: For this type of information contact the Planning Division at 561-233-5300.
- Q: Where does the Water Utilities Department get its water supply?
A: Water is drawn from an underground aquifer via well fields located inland, away from saltwater intrusion. Rain water percolates down into the aquifer through layers of soil and sand which act as natural cleansing filters to remove impurities. To assure the safety of our drinking water, Palm Bach County aggressively monitors well quality through the County's Sourcewater Well Field Protection Program.
- Q: Why isn't my tap water cold?
A: The water is pumped from wells approximately 150 feet underground where the temperature is approximately 75 degrees. At this depth, the water temperature only varies about 4 degrees year round. For more information on our water click on Water Utilities Department or Environmental Resources Management.
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Gobierno
