The City’s Wastewater Collection system has been managing significantly higher water volumes due to recent heavy rainfall, and with the impending storm, it is possible the system could become overwhelmed, potentially resulting in overflows. The system is currently processing two times the amount of wastewater, with the vast majority of the water being rainfall.
The City of Palm Coast is currently experiencing heavy rainfall from Hurricane Milton, with an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain expected over the next few days. Combined with the 6 inches of rainfall already received in the past five days, this ongoing weather event is likely to cause significant water accumulation in canals, ditches, swales, and roads throughout the city.
In response to these conditions, the Flagler County Sheriff and Flagler County Emergency Management have implemented a countywide curfew from 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening through 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning. It is critical for residents to comply with this order and stay off the roads. Even after the storm has passed, fallen trees and power lines can present significant hazards, and the period following the storm can be the most dangerous for such incidents.
Wastewater System Performance & Resident Precautions
The City’s Wastewater Collection system has been managing significantly higher water volumes due to recent heavy rainfall, and with the impending storm, it is possible the system could become overwhelmed, potentially resulting in overflows. The system is currently processing two times the amount of wastewater, with the vast majority of the water being rainfall.
The City is currently activated in emergency mode, with city staff working 24 hours a day to serve the residents of Palm Coast. The Utility Department has deployed additional crews working around the clock with tanker trucks in high-risk areas to remove excess water. Residents’ participation is essential to avoid straining the system further. We ask everyone to limit non-essential water use during the storm and immediately afterward. This includes refraining from doing laundry, limiting shower times, and reducing toilet flushing.
If you experience water backing up into your home, submit a report through Palm Coast Connect or call Customer Service at 386-986-2360 for immediate assistance.
PEP Tank Residents: Special Instructions
If you live in the L, Z, E, LL, B, W, R, P, or S sections of Palm Coast and have a PEP (Pretreatment Effluent Pumping) tank, it’s important to monitor your system carefully during the storm. If your power goes out, your PEP tank will not function, and you may experience wastewater backups. If this happens, immediately stop all water use, including flushing toilets and using sinks or showers.
If your PEP tank alarm goes off after power is restored, you can silence it by pressing the reset button located at the bottom of the control panel on the side of your home. If the alarm reactivates within 24 hours, please submit a case through Palm Coast Connect or call Customer Service.
Citywide Efforts
The City of Palm Coast is working tirelessly to prevent wastewater overflows and maintain essential services. Additional tanker trucks have been brought in to assist in pumping down lift stations to remove excess water. However, we strongly urge all residents to help by conserving water as much as possible to prevent the system from reaching capacity.
The City of Palm Coast remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents throughout Hurricane Milton. Please stay tuned for further updates, and remember to stay off the roads during and after the storm to avoid unnecessary risks.
For more information, contact Palm Coast Customer Service at 386-986-2360 or visit Palm Coast Connect.