Rick Neale

FLORIDA TODAY

LATEST INFORMATION: Read the latest information we have on the boil-water notice affecting 150,000 in south Brevard.

Update, 9:30 a.m.: West Melbourne's utility department is telling residents that a boil water advisory will be in place for at least the next two days.



Until a bacteriological survey shows the water is safe to drink, residents should continue to bring their water to a roiling boil before drinking.



Utilities workers are telling residents that it is safe to shower using the water.

Beachside sewage leak repaired; normal water usage OK'd

Update, 7 a.m.: A message on the West Melbourne emergency hotline indicates that a boil water alert remains in effect for about 150,000 people across southern Brevard County, including all of Melbourne.

The city’s 100-square-mile distribution service area includes Melbourne, West Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Melbourne Village and portions of unincorporated Brevard County.

Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes.

Original story:

A Tuesday night lightning strike at a Melbourne water treatment plant has triggered an ongoing boil water alert for about 150,000 people across southern Brevard County, said Cheryl Mall, city spokeswoman.

At 7:43 p.m., Mall reported that lightning had struck the John A. Buckley Surface Water Treatment Plant near Lake Washington. City crews restored service soon afterwards, but the power surge shut down emergency generators — and water pressure dropped below the minimum 20 pounds per square inch mandated by state regulations.

The city’s 100-square-mile distribution service area includes Melbourne, West Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Satellite Beach, Palm Shores, Melbourne Village and portions of unincorporated Brevard County.

Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes.

The city will conduct a bacteriological survey to determine when to lift the boil water notice.

For questions or information, call the public works and utilities administration office at 321-608-5000 or the after-hours emergency number: 321-255-4622.

Further information was unavailable Tuesday night.

Contact Neale at 321-242-3638, rneale@floridatoday.com or follow @RickNeale1 on Twitter