22 April, 2026

Notice for Lake Harney Water Association Members

The purpose of this notice is to provide an update on two important issues.

Precautionary Boil Water Notice:

·   On Friday (17 April) we were notified by email by our water system operator, Biometrics, that one of our routine samples was positive for bacteria (Total Coliform and E.coli).  On Saturday (18th) we issued a Precautionary Boil Water Notice through neighborhood signs and our website.  This took too much time. 

o   We have instructed Biometrics that we expect immediate and direct notifications (phone call) from them for any urgent matter.

o   The LHWA Board recognizes that there are more effective and efficient systems to provide notification to our neighbors.  We are committed to creating such a system and appreciate those who have offered to help.

·   On Friday (17th) and Saturday (18th) additional samples were taken.  Biometrics notified us on Monday (20th) that the samples were clear of any contamination.

·   We also verified that our chlorination disinfection system has been working properly and we have not had any substantial loss of pressure or known pipe breaks that could have introduced bacteria.

·   On Tuesday (21st) Biometrics provided, and we posted the Rescind Notice for the Precautionary Boil Water Notice on our website and removed neighborhood signs.  The notice reads: “The Precautionary Boil Water Notice is now rescinded following satisfactory completion of bacteriological testing showing that the water is safe to drink.”

Secondary Well and Iron Content:

·       LHWA has been operating on one water well (our primary).  The board has been committed to having a second well in case of failure of our primary. 

·       We placed our secondary well into operation at the end of February 2026 with the State’s approval and in conjunction with Florida Rural Water Association, Biometrics, and our chemical treatment experts.

·       Both of our wells, like much of Florida, have naturally-occurring iron in the groundwater.  Our secondary well has more natural iron than our primary well.  We have been working hard to eliminate yellow-tinted water (ferric iron) with the proper chemical treatment (phosphate) and system flushing.  We recognize this has taken too long and appreciate your patience.

·       We have now switched back to our primary well.  Although we made progress in removing much of the yellow tint from our water, we have concluded that our new secondary well has too much iron for year-round use.  Removing iron would require installing filtration at our plant, which is unaffordable to our Association at this time.  So, our intention is to only use our secondary well when the water table is high (diluting the natural iron) or in the event of primary well failure.

·       If you would like to discuss further or share your experience, please contact our Board at admin@lakeharneywater.org or phone 407-575-8659.  You may also reach me at 703-868-7954.

Sincerely,

Bret Muilenburg

LHWA President and Neighbor

21 April, 2026

WATER SYSTEM CONSUMERS:

THE “PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE” IS NOW RESCINDED

FOLLOWING SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF BACTERIOLOGICAL TESTING SHOWING THAT THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL:

Biometric Utility at (386) 860-3148

PWS#: 3590698

19 April, 2026

LHWA Neighbors,

This note provides an update to the Precautionary Boil Water Notice issued on Saturday, 18 April 2026.

We have verified that our chlorination system has been and continues to operate properly.  Our logbook shows proper chlorine residual levels in our distribution system.

We have not found any pipe breaks nor are aware of any substantial loss of pressure that would allow contaminants to enter our distribution system.  As usual, if anyone observes or suspects a pipe break in our system, please call it in to 407-575-8659 or admin@lakeharneywater.org.

We intend to have clearance water samples taken early in the week of 20 April.  Upon confirmation that our system has no bacteriological contamination, we will lift the Precautionary Boil Water Notice and remove the neighborhood signs.

Thank you,

Bret Muilenburg

LHWA President

18 April, 2026

IMPORTANT 

PRECAUTIONARY BOIL WATER NOTICE

 ATTENTION:   RESIDENTS OF Lake Harney Water Association

 It has come to our attention that the water quality of our drinking water system may have been compromised on 04/17/26 due to Positive Samples for Total Coliform and Ecoli. The resulting loss of water pressure within the distribution system may have allowed the infiltration of bacteria into the water lines. 

Therefore, the quality of the water supply must be considered suspect until repairs are made, and bacteriological testing shows that the water meets drinking water standards for bacteria. (NOTE: This usually takes a minimum of 48 hours after repairs are completed and water pressure is restored.) 

DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HEALTH: 

1. Boil your water for one minute prior to consumption or purchase bottled water for cooking and drinking purposes. A vigorous boil for one minute is adequate to ensure that the water is bacteriologically safe. 

2. Continue to take precautions until you receive notification from your utility that the water has been tested and is safe to consume.

 If you have any question, please contact: Operations Manager @ 407-575-8659

We will notify you when testing is complete and results are all clear. 

24 February, 2026

Notice to all Lake Harney Water Association members: we will be switching over to our new well site in the next couple of weeks. Along with this change, we will be introducing a new disinfection protocol: hydrogen peroxide, injected at the well. This represents a major milestone for the association as we continue in our efforts to reduce overall disinfection byproducts. If you notice any discoloration or unusual odors with your water, please notify the board immediately.

Thank you for your attention, cooperation, and understanding!

29 January, 2026