The Water System said these breaks are not part of normal HNWS operations and occur when outside contractors strike HNWS’s underground utilities while working in county easements.
“We understand this is frustrating for our members, especially when disruptions and clean-up concerns occur near your homes,” HNWS said in a statement. “Please know that HNWS crews are responding as quickly as possible to restore service and minimize inconvenience.”
HNWS said members can play an important role in preventing future damage in the following ways:
- Do not remove utility flags placed in your yard.
- Avoid mowing over spray-painted markings that indicate underground utility lines.
If you see a line hit and HNWS crews are not already on site, please call the HNWS office immediately at 850-939-2427.
These markings are made after a contractor calls 811, the nationwide “Call Before You Dig” service. By law, contractors must have underground utilities marked before they dig. Once utilities are located and flagged, the markings are only valid for a limited time. Leaving these flags and paint in place helps contractors avoid damaging essential services like your water and sewer lines.
