Longboat changes water source

Longboaters who detect a difference in the drinking water coming out of their pipes aren’t crazy.

Yesterday, town staff shut off the Manatee County interconnect pipe that funnels water from Manatee County to the entire island and turned on the emergency water interconnect pipe that sits under Sarasota Bay on the south end of the Key.

In an email to the Longboat Key Town Commission Thursday, Assistant Town Manager Anne Ross said the move was made so Manatee County can replace the water meter for the north end pipe on Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island in conjunction with an upcoming Longboat Pass water main replacement project.

“We are using the city of Sarasota’s safe drinking water to avoid a service interruption, pressure changes, and an island-wide precautionary boil water notice for two days,” Ross said.

The town didn’t notify residents of the switch to assess how many residents would call to inquire about a difference.

“Some people are more sensitive to changes and so far we have received three calls,” Ross said.

Ross said the town will be using Manatee County water again by the end of today, but warned that when the water pipe project begins later this year, the town will utilize the city’s water from time to time to avoid service interruptions.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected] .