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Water distribution sites set up after advisory

West Palm Beach distributes water for residents at Gaines Park
Posted at 7:10 PM, May 29, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-29 23:23:31-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The city of West Palm Beach set up a water distribution site Saturday morning at Gaines Park after issuing a drinking water advisory Friday night.

"I think it's a really great thing that they're doing to give us water," Luca Oliver said.

Vehicles began lining up just before ten this morning. So many people showed up they ran out of water not once, but twice, forcing folks like Janette Williams to sit and wait for the next load.

She found out about the advisory and distribution site by text.

"This morning, I guess, that's when I saw it -- 9:17, Saturday, May 29, and they sent it to me at 9:17," she said.

At home, Williams' granddaughter poured fresh water for her dogs and cat. Williams poured out the coffee she made this morning.

"I'm going to tape all of this off and put a sign up that says, 'Do not use,'" she said.

West Palm Beach's public works director made it very clear who should be cautious at this time.

"Only the vulnerable population, which is infants or children under the age of 6, nursing mothers, pregnant mothers, people who might be on dialysis," Poonan Kalkat said.

Back at Gaines Park, the line was so long that it began blocking traffic on Australian Avenue, so the decision was made to move the site to the back of the park.

"It's a good thingm because we needed it," Gary Butts said. "The water is bad, and we needed this good water."

The city will also be distributing water to impacted residents on Sunday at the following locations:

  • Gaines Park, 1501 N. Australian Ave. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
  • Phipps Park, 4715 S. Dixie Hwy. (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)
  • Coleman Park, 1116 21st St. (11 a.m.–2 p.m.)