Utilities Storm Information

Reduce water usage if your home loses power

If your home is without power, it is likely your neighborhood sewer pump station has no power. During the storm when utility staff are unable to respond immediately due to unsafe conditions, sewer backups can result, which may cause overflows into streets and homes.

In areas where the power is out, customers should minimize water use, including postponing showering. Due to specific power needs, pump stations may not come online at the same time as homes, so avoid large uses of water immediately after power is restored, and avoid clothes washing and dish washing activities. Customer assistance through these actions will reduce the volume of wastewater entering pump stations, which will allow crews to more effectively complete emergency operations activities and minimize sewer backups and overflows.

Drain stored water slowly

If you stored water in your bathtub before the storm, try beneficially reusing it instead of draining it to reduce strain on the wastewater system while sewer pump stations are recovering. Stored bathtub water may be used for non-drinking purposes, such as flushing toilets, general cleaning, and watering houseplants.

If water remains after you have reused what you can, do not drain the entire bathtub at once. Drain a small amount at a time and pause between draining periods to spread the flow over a few hours.

Separate debris by type

Set out waste materials — vegetative (e.g., tree limbs, palm fronds), construction (e.g., fencing, drywall, concrete), white goods (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines), etc. — in separate piles for pickup. Do not mix different types of debris and do not block meters or storm drains. Separation helps speed up the process and ensures safe, proper disposal.

Smaller amounts of vegetative waste can be set out according to the yard waste guidelines for regular weekly curbside collection service. Large items that comply with the curbside collection guidelines can also be set out for weekly pickup. Storm debris that does not meet the curbside collection guidelines will not be collected by the residential curbside collection service.

Household garbage collection is a priority, and regularly scheduled collection services will begin as soon as safely possible after the storm. Please follow the normal guidelines for residential curbside collection services.

Expect pickup delays

After a storm, household garbage collection will be prioritized over recycling, yard waste, and large item pickup. Please follow the normal guidelines for residential curbside collection services. There may be some collection delays due to the large volume of household garbage and yard waste generated by the storm. Yard waste may be collected in limited quantities until the volume is reduced throughout the affected area.

Disinfect tap water if needed

If you are notified by Orange County Utilities to boil water, follow the instructions below to disinfect water used for drinking, preparing or cooking food, making ice, brushing teeth, or handwashing dishes prior to use. Continue until Orange County Utilities announces the water system is cleared and safe to drink.

• If you have power: The Florida Department of Health recommends bringing water to a rolling boil for a least one minute. Let the water cool before using.
• If you are without power: Disinfect the water by adding eight drops or about 1/8 teaspoon of plain, unscented household bleach per gallon of water and let it stand for 30 minutes.