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Tampa General Hospital's East Pavilion advised not to use running water after water main break

 
Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands as seen from Harbour Island.  [Times files]
Tampa General Hospital on Davis Islands as seen from Harbour Island. [Times files]
Published Sept. 16, 2018

Since Saturday morning, patients and staff in Tampa General Hospital's East Pavilion and Rehabilitation Center have been advised against using running water.

As of Sunday afternoon, it was not known when the recommended ban would be lifted.

According to John Dunn, Tampa General's director of public relations, water began seeping from the ground in front of the pavilion's main entrance Saturday morning because of a water main break.

Bathrooms were unavailable for an hour while the water was shut down as workers isolated the problem, Dunn said.

The water main was repaired about 3 a.m. and the water was turned back on, but the recommended ban remains in effect while sinks and showers are flushed of sediment, Dunn said. Patients have been provided bath kits, bottled water and hand sanitizer.

Until the water's safety is confirmed, people in the East Pavilion and Rehabilitation Center are being advised to not use tap water for drinking or brushing their teeth, or for showers or baths.

The water main break also impacted the Harborside Medical Tower, but because it is a weekend it was "pretty much empty," Dunn said.

Contact Paul Guzzo at pguzzo@tampabay.com. Follow @PGuzzoTimes.