Fact Sheet:

 What do I do when a boil water notice is issued?

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What are the reasons for a boil water notice?

There are different reasons for issuing a boil water notice.   These include:

• Bacteriological/microbial testing that suggest possible widespread aquifer or groundwater contamination within a community;

• An outbreak of illness that may be due to consumption of the water  within a community;

How Do I use Water when the Boil Water Notice has been issued for Drinking Water Only?

Where the boil notice is for drinking water only, the water can be used for general domestic purposes, including handwashing, bathing, and showering (providing the water is not swallowed), dishwashing and laundry.

Water used for drinking purposes should be brought to a rolling boil for one (1) minute.   This applies to water used for making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth.   Discard all ice made before the boil water notice was issued, and disinfect the ice cube trays.  (Caution:  Place kettles and pots on back burners or away from counter edges to avoid spillage and scalding.)

Alternate safe supplies of water, such as bottled water can also be used.

How Do I use Water When the Boil Water Notice has been issued for Natural Disaster Occurrences? 

Can I use the water for drinking purposes?

All types of boil water notices include drinking water.   The water cannot be used for drinking until it is properly sterilized by bringing it to a rolling boil for one (1) minute.    This includes water used for infant formula and juice, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth.

Can I use the water for handwashing?

Water can be used for handwashing after the following water treatment:  Use one part regular household bleach to 1,000 parts water.   Mix and let stand for at least 10 minutes prior to use.  (Use one teaspoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water.)

You can use alcohol-based hand disinfectants, containing more than 60% alcohol.   These products are widely used in health-care settings for washing hands or in situations when water is not available.   The wet wipes used for cleaning babies during a diaper change are not effective for disinfection hands and should not be used for this purpose.

Can I take a bath or shower?

Bathing or showering in this water is not recommended.

Is it safe to use my dishwasher?

If your dishwasher has a hot setting, it safely disinfects dishes.  If your dishwasher does not have a hot setting, wait until the washing cycle is complete.   Then soak dishes for one minute in a 1:1000 solution of regular household bleach.

If I wash dishes by hand, how do I disinfect them?

Countertops, chopping boards or utensils should be washed with soap and hot water first, and then disinfected with the following bleach solution:  one part bleach with 75 parts water (3 teaspoons of regular bleach in one quart of water).   Do not reuses or store this solution.   Make it fresh daily.

Is the water safe to fill wading pools for children?

No, the water is not safe to use in wading pools.  Water usually gets into the mouths of small children, and is therefore a possible source of infection.

Does an installed water treatment device make the water safe? 

It may not, because of the variable nature of the water source and the large variety of treatment devices available.  Water used for drinking purposes should be brought to a rolling boil (for one minute) before it is used.  This applies to water used for infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, and brushing teeth.

My doctor told me I am immunocompromised-what should I do?

Contact your physician and follow his or her advice.