A boil water order is a public health advisory instructing consumers to boil their tap water before using it for consumption. This directive is put in place when there is a known or potential risk that the community’s drinking water supply has been contaminated by harmful microorganisms. The advisory serves as a precaution to protect the public from waterborne illnesses. Compliance with the order is necessary for all activities that involve ingesting water until the issue is resolved.
Understanding Why Orders Are Issued
Water utilities issue these orders based on two primary scenarios: confirmed contamination or a significant increase in the risk of contamination. A mandatory order is issued when routine testing detects the actual presence of harmful pathogens, such as E. coli or Giardia, in the water distribution system. This confirmed degradation of water quality indicates a breakdown in the normal treatment or disinfection process.
The more common type is a precautionary order, which is issued when an event occurs that increases the possibility of contamination, even if no pathogens have been detected yet. Events like major water main breaks or power outages can cause a loss of positive water pressure in the system. When pressure drops below a certain threshold, it creates a vacuum that can allow contaminated groundwater or soil to seep into the pipes. This immediate risk prompts the advisory until laboratory analysis confirms the water’s safety.
Safe Practices During an Order
The most direct way to make water safe is by boiling it, as the heat effectively kills disease-causing organisms. Water should be brought to a full, rolling boil for at least one minute. After boiling, the water must be allowed to cool completely before it is used for drinking, preparing food, making ice, or mixing baby formula. Bottled water remains an acceptable alternative for all consumption purposes.
For personal hygiene, brushing teeth requires using bottled water or boiled and cooled tap water. Hand washing with soap and tap water is generally acceptable for routine tasks, but an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) should be applied afterward for food preparation or medical care. While showering or bathing is usually safe for healthy adults, care must be taken to avoid swallowing the water, and people with open wounds should cover them with waterproof bandages.
Washing dishes by hand requires extra steps. After washing with soap and tap water, dishes should be soaked for at least one minute in a sanitizing solution made with one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of warm water, and then allowed to air dry completely. Dishwashers can be used only if they have a sanitizing cycle or the final rinse temperature reaches at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Pets should only be given boiled and cooled water.
How a Boil Water Order Ends
The water utility will only lift the advisory after the underlying issue has been fully corrected and mandatory testing confirms the water is safe. This process requires collecting multiple water samples from various locations in the affected area and analyzing them for contaminants. The utility must receive consecutive clean test results, often 24 hours apart, before an official announcement is made.
Once the order is officially rescinded, consumers must perform a series of flushing steps to clear their home plumbing. Start by running all cold water faucets for a minimum of five minutes. For appliances, automatic ice makers should be emptied of all existing ice, and then three new batches must be made and discarded to fully clean the lines.
Running the hot water faucets for 15 to 30 minutes is necessary to flush the hot water heater and all associated pipes, with larger tanks requiring the longer flush time. Water treatment systems, like softeners and reverse osmosis units, may need to be run through a regeneration cycle or have their filters replaced, following the manufacturer’s specific instructions. These actions ensure that all household water fixtures and equipment are clear of any residual contamination.