Fire damages Dunedin water plant; Residents asked to conserve water

UPDATE – Sept. 30 4:40 p.m.

An early morning fire damaged the Dunedin Water Plant on CR 1 shortly after 4 a.m., Thursday, September 30, 2021. City Officials want to assure the public of a safe and adequate water supply and provide an update on short-term and long-term plans for the City Water Facility.

Director of Public Works Paul Stanek says the system is partially operational and able to produce adequate supplies of safe, quality drinking water. The City is working with adjacent municipalities for an emergency supply, if necessary.

Stanek said long-term the City is assessing the restoration efforts necessary to reconstruct the damaged portions of the reverse osmosis water plant.

“We want to assure our residents and businesses they will have a safe and adequate water supply,” said Stanek. “But we strongly encourage people to continue to conserve water (refrain from watering lawns but this does not affect reclaimed water irrigation systems).”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Officials say there is no evidence of arson or cyber-attack.

Fire Damages Dunedin Water Plant

An early morning fire was detected at the Dunedin Water Plant on CR 1 shortly after 4 a.m., on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Fire and emergency responders from the cities of Dunedin, Clearwater, Palm Harbor and Safety Harbor responded to the scene containing the fire inside the water plant at 4:24 a.m.

Dunedin Fire & Rescue Chief Jeff Parks confirmed it was an electrical fire with no injuries, no suspected arson and no hazardous material risk to the environment.

Director of Public Works Paul Stanek says there is a safe and adequate water supply from water stored in the City’s potable storage tanks, but the City strongly encourages residents to conserve water (no watering of lawns) until the City can assess the situation.