HOLT, Fla., July 24, 2025—Holt Water Works has issued a precautionary boil water notice for water customers until further notice.

Due to a power surge as a result of a lightning strike during last night’s storm, power to the water pump at the industrial park tower was disrupted.

The pump was not damaged, but it did go offline—it quit pumping water into the tank.

As a result, customers were without water for a period of time this morning.

The first customer call came in at 4:15 a.m.

“By 4:30 a.m. we had an operator on site,” said Donna Ash, Holt Water manager. “A short time later, water was flowing back through the system.”

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulations, Ash notified DEP as soon as the office opened at 9 a.m. that Holt Water had a pump failure due to a lightning strike.

DEP instructed Holt Water to issue a precautionary boil water notice.

“We could not do anything before notifying DEP,” said Ash. “According to DEP regulations, we have 24 hours to notify everyone. We were way ahead of those requirements.”

Before the boil water notice can be rescinded, water sample testing is required during the next 24 hours. Once they come back approved, the notice can be lifted.

“The first samples have already been taken,” said Ash. “We’re going to sample it again tomorrow morning. Hopefully by tomorrow afternoon, we will know if we can rescind the boil water notice.”

Customers with questions can contact the Holt Water office at 850-537-4113.