HOLT, Fla., Sept. 19, 2023—A small group of customers are under a boil water notice after a water line was broken earlier today.

According to Holt Water Works Manager Donna Ash, 28 customers along Springtime and Summertime avenues and Bone Creek Road are asked to boil any water they use for drinking and cooking until further notice.

Washing clothes, bathing and using a dishwasher do not require boiling the water; however, it is recommended that people use boiled or bottled water to brush teeth and boiled water to hand wash dishes, said Ash.

This notice is in effect until water samples are approved by the lab for two consecutive days.

A 6-inch water line was broken when Holt Fire District’s Engine 31 hit the fire hydrant in the triangular area between Summertime Drive and 3rd Avenue.

The truck was returning to the station after responding to a vehicle rollover on Summertime Drive early this morning.

The impact of the engine with the hydrant broke the water line that left a deep, wet hole that needs repairing, according to Ash.

When the break occurred, some customers lost complete water pressure, which automatically initiates notification to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as well as the Okaloosa County Health Department.

“The boil notice is a precaution,” Ash said. “It’s a health department requirement to recommend customers boil their water when a line loses pressure like this.”

Office staff at Holt Water called all 28 customers and left a message if there was no answer. There were three customers whose numbers were incorrect.

“Cases like this is why we need correct phone numbers,” said Ash.

No other water customers are affected by the line break, she said.

Anyone with further questions can call the water office at 850-537-4113.