The Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) placed 366 residential units across five Amelia Island communities under a precautionary boil-water notice Wednesday, after a planned maintenance project temporarily cut water service.

How to prepare water safely

Residents in the affected areas should bring all water used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, brushing teeth or making ice to a rolling boil for at least one minute, the FGUA said. Bottled water is also an acceptable alternative.

Which communities are affected

The notice covers Shipwatch Villas, Buildings A and B (1301-1394 Shipwatch Circle); Piper Dunes (1501-1546); Sea Dunes (1601-1677); Dunes Club (1701-1777); and Turtle Dunes (1801-1877).

Scope grew on day of work

The FGUA originally announced Aug. 26 that only Shipwatch Villas would be affected, with 94 units expected to lose service during the planned interruption. That work was scheduled for Wednesday, between approximately 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

At 12:36 p.m. Wednesday, the authority posted an update stating that additional addresses had been identified as impacted. The total jumped from 94 units to 366 across the five communities. The Fernandina Beach News-Leader reported the specific address ranges for the four additional communities beyond Shipwatch Villas.

The FGUA had said boil-water tags would be hand-delivered to Shipwatch Villas locations beginning Sept. 1, before the scope expanded. It is unclear whether tags have been delivered to the four additional communities.

What residents should know

The notice will remain in effect until bacteriological testing confirms the water meets all state drinking water standards. According to the FGUA, test results are typically available within two to three business days after service is restored.

The utility said it will notify customers when the notice is lifted.

The outage was scheduled to end at approximately 4 p.m. Wednesday. Residents who want updates can check the FGUA's outage and notice page.