Oct. 10, 2025
St. Johns County Utility provides the water for the Palm Valley area of JEA’s water distribution system. This water distribution system had a sampling occurrence that did not meet the requirements of drinking water standards. Although this incident did not present a health risk, you have the right to know what happened and what was done to correct this situation for the benefit of about 375 customers in this area.
JEA is required to collect water samples monthly to monitor the Palm Valley drinking water system for specific contaminants to confirm the drinking water system meets required health standards.
During the September 2025 compliance period, one of the required total coliform bacteria samples tested positive for the presence of bacteria. JEA collected additional samples at the point of the positive sample and at nearby locations, all of which tested negative for the presence of coliform bacteria, showing the water system was safe, not requiring a boil water notice to be issued.
When a positive total coliform test occurs, precautionary samples must also be collected from the source wells at the water plant serving this area. This water system is supplied by water treatment plants owned and operated by the St. Johns County Utility Department (SJCUD). Due to an operational oversight, SJCUD did not collect samples within the required 24-hour timeframe from the source wells that produce the water for this area and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water at that time. The utility collected well samples on Sept. 18, 2025, which tested negative for bacteria.
The water supplied to JEA customers in this area is disinfected and sampled by St. Johns County Utilities prior to reaching the JEA distribution system that serves your home.
In response to this matter, JEA has enhanced its communication processes and coordination with SJCUD to ensure all future sampling requirements are met.
You do not need to boil your water or take any other preventative actions.
Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Microbes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.
While all recent tests have received satisfactory results, customers who are concerned about their exposure to this contaminant may choose alternative sources of drinking water. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and neighbors, especially those who may not have received this notice, such as people in apartments, nursing homes, schools and businesses.
For more information: You may contact SCJUD Water Division Manager Barry Stewart at bstewart@sjcfl.us | 904-209-2645.
Legal 147920 Published 10/23/2025 in St. Johns County Ponte Vedra Recorder newspaper
