Port St. Lucie Utilities

Port St. Lucie's water is sourced from two distinct aquifers - the shallow aquifer (approximately 75 feet deep) and the deeper Floridan aquifer (about 1350 feet deep). The shallow aquifer water undergoes treatment at an 8.0 million gallon per day lime softening facility, combining pH adjustment with lime, polymer coagulation, multi-media filtration, and chloramine disinfection.

The deeper Floridan aquifer water is processed through two reverse osmosis facilities with capacities of 11.15 and 22.5 million gallons per day. After treatment, both water sources are blended, pH-adjusted, disinfected, and supplemented with fluoride for dental health.

Municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through soil, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activity.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbiological contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants from natural sources or oil/gas production and mining

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems, while FDA regulations set limits for bottled water. All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Of particular concern, elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department provides high-quality water, they cannot control plumbing component materials. When water sits for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking.

Immunocompromised individuals, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or immune disorders, some elderly, and infants may be particularly vulnerable to certain waterborne infections. These individuals should consult healthcare providers about their drinking water.

Emergency Water Damage Response

The restoration process begins with your call. Our emergency response team is available 24/7 for water emergencies of any size. When dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial - even a few hours' delay can significantly worsen the damage.

1. Initial Contact Assessment
   • We'll gather essential information about your situation
   • Determine necessary equipment and resources
   • Collect contact and insurance details
   • Identify water damage cause and timeline
   • Verify onsite power availability
2. Inspection and Damage Assessment
   • Comprehensive property inspection
   • Moisture source identification and stoppage
   • Water contamination level determination
   • Damage survey and safety inspection
3. Content Protection
   • Furniture moving and blocking to prevent stains
   • Organized pack-out services for extensive restoration cases
4. Water Extraction
   • Rapid removal using industrial pumps and vacuums
   • Carpet and pad assessment and removal if necessary
   • Use of specialized moisture detection equipment
5. Drying and Dehumidification
   • Professional assessment of retained moisture in materials
   • Calculation of optimal drying equipment needs
   • Complete structural drying to prevent secondary damage

Our certified technicians follow industry guidelines to ensure proper water damage remediation and prevent long-term issues like mold growth or structural weakening.