The City of Mary Esther lifted its precautionary boil water notice Monday, announcing that water is now safe for all normal uses including drinking, cooking and bathing without the need for boiling.

• The notice was first issued on June 17 following a significant drop in water pressure caused by damage to a fire hydrant and water main. Emergency repairs to the damaged infrastructure were completed June 18, and teams have since flushed the water system and collected multiple bacteriological samples.

Testing has returned satisfactory results, confirming that the water meets all safety standards, city officials said.

The damage was caused by a dump truck that struck the fire hydrant. The driver has admitted fault for the accident to both the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Mary Esther.

• Now that the water system is fully restored and safe, the city will work to recoup all expenses incurred due to the incident from the responsible driver and their insurance carrier. This includes costs for emergency repairs, staff time and any other related damages.

The Florida Department of Health recommends residents take several steps to ensure optimal water quality now that the notice has been lifted. Residents should run all cold water faucets for five minutes to clear out any stagnant water in home pipes and run water through ice makers, discarding the first batch of ice, water dispensers on refrigerators and any other water-using appliances.

The health department also recommends washing pet water bowls and considering sanitizing any reusable containers that held water during the boil notice period.

• “We are incredibly grateful for the understanding and cooperation of our Mary Esther community during this challenging time,” said City Manager Jared Cobb. “Our staff and contractors worked tirelessly to resolve this issue, and we are committed to continuing to provide safe and reliable water service to all our residents.”

The incident began at approximately 4:30 p.m. June 17 when city staff received notification of the broken water main near 325 Miracle Strip Parkway. Contractor Jacobs worked overnight to complete repairs by approximately 6 a.m. June 18.