A boil water advisory has been issued to shops located in the Beneva Village Shops retail center at 3404 Clark Road in Sarasota, following repairs to a water main. Businesses affected include Publix, Tijuana Flats, Zoom Tans, AT&T, SunniBunni, Gadget, Subway and Papa John’s. Approximately 200 residents living in the Beneva Place Apartments at 3451 Queens St. also are affected. Businesses and residents in the area are being notified.

While the county has no reason to believe drinking water will be contaminated, Florida law requires drinking water providers to issue precautionary boil water advisories to customers affected by pressure losses in water mains.

While the advisory is in effect, customers should boil tap water intended for drinking, food preparation, washing food utensils, making ice, brushing teeth, or for first aid. Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one minute. Boiling the tap water disinfects it, destroying any harmful microorganisms. Bottled water can be used as an alternative to boiling tap water.

Over the next few days, the county will collect a series of samples in the affected area and analyze them to ensure the drinking water isn’t contaminated by potentially harmful bacteria during the service interruption. Customers will be notified when the boil water advisory is canceled.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000.