A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is a public health measure issued when the drinking water supply is contaminated with disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa like Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Advisories are typically put in place due to events like a main break or a confirmed water quality test failure, which allows contamination to enter the system. The primary goal of a BWA is to prevent people from ingesting unsafe water, but it also raises questions about using tap water for other daily activities, including showering.
Safety Assessment: Showering and Bathing
Showering during a Boil Water Advisory is generally considered low-risk for healthy adults, provided precautions are taken to avoid accidental ingestion. The skin acts as a protective barrier, meaning contact with the contaminated water is unlikely to cause illness. The main concern centers on water entering the body through the mouth, nose, eyes, or open wounds.
The physical act of showering creates aerosolized water droplets, which can be inhaled or accidentally swallowed. To minimize this risk, showers should be kept short, and you should keep your mouth closed and your face out of the direct spray.
Individuals with recent surgical wounds, compromised immune systems, or chronic illnesses should exercise greater caution. Because they are more susceptible to infection, they may consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing instead.
Bathing, especially full immersion in a tub, presents a higher risk than showering because it increases the likelihood of water entering the body. For infants, toddlers, or individuals who cannot reliably avoid swallowing water, a sponge bath using bottled or properly boiled and cooled water is the safest alternative. Supervising children during a bath is important to ensure no water is ingested.
Essential Hygiene Practices
Activities involving direct contact with the mouth or open skin require stricter safety guidelines than general showering. Brushing teeth is a high-ingestion risk activity, and untreated tap water should never be used. For proper oral hygiene, use bottled water or tap water that has been brought to a full rolling boil for at least one minute and allowed to cool.
Similarly, shaving can introduce waterborne pathogens into the bloodstream through small cuts or nicks in the skin. Although the risk is low for healthy individuals, those with open wounds or weakened immune systems should use bottled or boiled, cooled water for shaving to prevent potential infection.
For basic handwashing, vigorous scrubbing with soap and tap water is generally acceptable, as the friction and soap are effective. However, if washing hands before preparing food or caring for an infant, it is safer to use bottled or boiled and cooled water for the final rinse.
Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also provide an extra layer of protection, particularly when water sources are unreliable.
Managing Other Household Water Needs
A Boil Water Advisory also impacts other household water uses. For pets, the same precautions apply as for humans; they should be given bottled water or water that has been boiled and cooled to prevent them from ingesting harmful microorganisms.
Washing dishes requires careful attention to sanitation, as food residue can harbor bacteria. Household dishwashers are safe only if they have a sanitizing cycle or can reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C).
Handwashing Dishes
For handwashing dishes, wash them normally with soap and water. Then, soak them for at least one minute in a separate basin containing a solution of one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water, allowing them to air dry completely.
Laundry is considered safe to do as usual, as the risk of exposure through clothing is negligible.
Surface cleaning, such as kitchen counters, can be done with regular tap water. However, surfaces that come into contact with food should be cleaned with a solution made from boiled or bottled water, or a diluted bleach solution.
Untreated water can also be used for watering houseplants and gardens, but should not be used on food-producing plants like tomatoes or berries.