Cedar Key residents are feeling a little saltier than usual. Because of low water levels in their well systems, salt water is being drawn in to their drinking water supply. This is affecting everything from showering to cooking. Businesses say they are coping with the water woes, just fine. 

The owner of Island Hotel and Restaurant, Andy Blair, is doing just that. The ten room hotel is equipped with a fine dining restaurant and lounge and needs water to run efficiently. 

 He says his bar runs off of water, his ice machine is subject to salt, and he is in the process of installing a reverse osmosis system.

Bair purchased the system at a local hardware store and has confidence that it will give him the fresh water he needs to run his business. He says the city so far has provided bottled water for his guests at no charge,  for drinking. He says his business has not suffered and is relying on his reverse osmosis system to make it a pleasurable stay for his guests.

Local Clam Grower, Bobby Witt says the extra salt is great for his business.

"The chloride levels aren't high enough to hurt the clams, and after all the clams are a salt water species anyway, so a little salt is't going to bother them, they will be all the happier," he says. 

Witt owns the Scale Key Clam Company in Cedar Key and serves as another example of its residents rolling with the punches in times of hardship. 

It is unknown how long the water will remain salty, but businesses are trying to take steps to ensure their success.