Boil Water Notices

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Boil water notices are issued during planned maintenance or emergencies, such as water main breaks, power outages or hurricanes, when water pressure is lost and contamination may occur. Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and ensures safety for consumption.

When a boil water notice is issued for your household

If your area is affected by a boil water notice, boil tap water at a rolling boil for at least one minute, or use bottled water for:

  • Drinking
  • Cooking
  • Making ice
  • Brushing teeth
  • Washing dishes

When boiling water, roll for one, then cool.

Showering and bathing are okay, but avoid swallowing water. Use extra care for children, those with weakened immune systems or those with open wounds. Use boiled or bottled water until you receive an official notice lifting the advisory.

What should homeowners do when the boil water notice is lifted?
  • Flush household pipes/faucets first: To flush your plumbing, run all your cold-water faucets on full for at least five minutes each. If your service connection is long or complex (like in an apartment building) consider flushing for a longer period. Your building superintendent or landlord should be able to advise you on longer flushing times.
  • Automatic ice makers: Dump existing ice and flush the water feed lines by making and discarding three batches of ice cubes. Wipe down the ice bin with a disinfectant. If your water feed line to the machine is longer than 20 feet, increase to five batches.
  • Hot water heaters, water coolers, in line filters, and other appliances with direct water connections or water tanks: Run enough water to completely replace at least one full volume of all lines and tanks. If your filters are near the end of their life, replace them.
  • Water softeners: Run through a regeneration cycle.
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: Replace pre-filters, check owner's manual.
  • Replace other water filters, as they are disposable and may be contaminated. This applies especially to carbon filters and others that are near the end of their life.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

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