My Clearwater
Water Crews Stop Leak That Halts Service to Beach Areas
This photo is reprinted with permission from 10 Tampa Bay News and is courtesy of Miranda Parnell.
Winter l Spring 07
The work of the city’s public utilities crews
and water professionals may sometimes go
unnoticed, until something really bad happens.
On the afternoon of Oct. 27, a contractor working in
Coachman Park hit a water main. And it wasn’t just any
water main; it provides water to all of Island Estates,
Clearwater Beach and Sand Key.
Within moments of the break, water began flowing all
over the construction site, creating a giant mess. In the
meantime, residents and businesses in the beach areas
started to experience low or no water pressure. Many
restaurants were forced to close.
Clearwater Public Utilities crews immediately responded
to the emergency. Brody Burke and Jay Weaver, both
water distribution foremen, shut off the valves as quickly
as they could, and a team of employees began the effort
to contain the break.
Employees and contractors worked hard for six hours
to find and repair this leak, some even standing in
neck-deep water. They are Torey Castleberry (water
distribution operator), Ike George (water distribution
supervisor), Fred Hemerick (public utilities assistant
manager), Keron Johnson (water distribution operator),
Dan McGuinness (water distribution operator), Deane
Murray (water quality technician), and Michael Vacca
(public utilities assistant manager).
Eventually, the team was able to repair the line, and a
precautionary boil-water order was issued. Again, water
crews exceeded expectations by immediately collecting
samples, sending them for analysis, and ending the
boil-water notice in the shortest period possible. It was
rescinded, and customers were informed within 48
hours that the water was safe to drink.
The city is proud of this team and its amazing work, not
just during water emergencies like this, but each and
every day.