Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department is prepared to deliver services throughout hurricane season

Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD)’s staff doesn’t wait until the winds pick up, or storm path prediction lines crisscross the map, to get prepared for hurricane season. Staff ensures treatment plants are sufficiently stocked and ready to continue to provide continuous service to our more than 2.4 million customers year-round.

“As you secure your homes and prepare for your family’s safety prior to a severe weather event, rest assured that we are ready to maintain system-wide delivery of safe drinking water,” said WASD Director Roy Coley. “The department has fuel and water treatment supply reserves to operate on auxiliary power at the three plants to ensure uninterrupted service for our customers for two weeks without supplemental deliveries.”

In advance of the South Florida region experiencing tropical storm force winds, WASD treatment plants will transfer to generator power, so plant operations are not impacted by electrical fluctuations and outages. 

As the 2022 hurricane season approaches, review Miami-Dade County’s Hurricane Guide for tips and other important information to stay prepared well in advance of a storm. 

Pre-Storm tips:

Make sure to have one gallon of water per person and pet per day for seven days. Rather than buying bottled water, invest in reusable water containers. Fill containers with Miami-Dade’s drinking water once a hurricane warning is announced. You can take advantage of purchasing the water containers during the Hurricane Supply Tax-free Week scheduled through June 10.

During/After storm tips:

Following a storm, if the water initially comes out cloudy, let the faucet run until it clears. The water is safe to drink. WASD tests its drinking water more than 150,000 times a year. Due to the storm and changes in water pressure, calcium carbonate -a safe by-product from our water treatment process found in milk, which forms in the pipes- can be disturbed and cause the temporary, cosmetic change to the water’s appearance. If you have additional questions about water quality, please call 786-552-4738 if you live north of Southwest Eighth Street and 786-552-4181 if you live south of Southwest Eighth Street.

While WASD is prepared to service Miami-Dade County before, during and after a storm, the department asks for residents to minimize water usage after a storm so as not to overly impact the water system should pressure be lower than normal. Decreasing water consumption during and after storms also minimizes the effect on the sewer system that may be impacted due to higher-than-normal rainfall associated with the storm. 

Also, please refrain from using water to hose off debris after the storm. Instead, bag up the debris rather than hosing it into storm drains to minimize street flooding resulting from clogged storm drains.

It is the priority of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department to provide safe, reliable service to its customers. For additional information about Department services and programs, visit the WASD website.