Boil Water Advisories

Boil water for consumption: Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute to kill bacteria and viruses.

Use boiled water for certain activities:

• Drinking water
• Preparing food and drinks
• Making ice
• Brushing teeth
• Washing raw foods

Discard contaminated items: Dispose of all ice made from tap water during the advisory period, as freezing does not kill bacteria.

Clean dishes: For hand-washing dishes, soak them in a solution of 1 teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of water. Dishwashers with a hot rinse cycle are generally safe.

Do not use tap water for certain activities: Avoid rinsing foods or making drinks with unboiled tap water.

Wash hands with soap and water: It is safe to use tap water and soap to wash hands but be sure to dry them thoroughly.

Take caution with bathing: Adults can shower or bathe but avoid swallowing water. For bathing babies and young children, sponge baths with cooled boiled water are recommended to prevent them from ingesting water.

After the Advisory is Rescinded:

• Flush household pipes: Run cold water at each tap for at least three minutes to flush the pipes.
• Replace icemaker water: Flush your automatic icemaker by making and discarding three batches of ice.
• Resume normal water use: Continue to use tap water normally unless instructed otherwise by the water system.