HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober on Friday said the water in his city is safe and clean despite a precautionary boil water notice issued for several cities in southern Broward County, including his own.
"Our water has been safe from the get go," he said. "We've tested the water and there is no E. coli. There never has been. Our water is safer than boiled water in most cases."
A boil water notice was issued Wednesday after E. coli was found in a well in Cooper City. It was then extended to at least Saturday.
Click here to view a map of the areas affected.
Bober said he was notified at 8 p.m. Tuesday about the alleged contamination in the well and wanted to immediately notify residents through a robo call citywide.
But Bober said the state told him to wait until 11 a.m. Wednesday when all cities affected could sent a press release out together.
Click here to read the county's notice.
"That's 15 hours later. I really wasn't sure why we needed to wait at all if we have the information. We should put it out right away," added Bober.
On Friday, Bober wanted to know why the order remained in effect.
"We have a lab in the city of Hollywood and they are constantly testing the water. It is safe," said Bober.
The cities of Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach also told Local 10 their water supplies had been tested and no E-coli was detected in the city-owned wells or water.
The Broward Health Department is the state agency that mandates utilities to notify the public when there is an issue, such as contamination.
Local 10's Jeff Weinsier asked Broward Health Department Director Dr. Paula Thaqi why the ban continued, but the interview was abruptly stopped by Public Information Officer Candy Sims.
"The boil water notice continues and the earliest they might be lifted is tomorrow. We are working closely with the county and utilities to shorten the duration of the notice as much as possible," Dr. Thaqui said before she was whisked away.
The contaminated Broward County well also supplies water to West Park, Pembroke Park, Pembroke Pines, Miramar and unincorporated areas of Broward County.
For more information, contact Broward County Water and Wastewater Services at 954-831-3250.