A boil water advisory is a public health measure that suggests the possibility of bacterial contamination in the water system, making the water unsafe to drink tap water without boiling it first, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But what exactly should you do under a boil water advisory? Only use or consume bottled water or water that has been boiled.
Here are seven tips to keep in mind from public health experts:
Read more from the CDC and DeKalb Health Department (PDF)
1. Only drink tap water after you’ve boiled it.
When boiling water, fill your pot with water and heat it until you see bubbles reach the top.
Once you notice a rolling boil, let it continue boiling for 1-3 minutes before you turn off the heat and let the water cool.
Store the water by pouring it into a clean container with a cover.
2. Don’t use ice from ice machines or commercial soft-drink dispensers. Don’t use drinks from soft-drink dispensers either. The DeKalb Health Department says to avoid these during the boil-water advisory:
- Carbonated fountain drink machines.
- Beverage “gun” dispensers.
- Machines that produce ice.
- Mechanical dish washing machines.
- Self-serve bulk water dispensers
3. Can you drink water from a water filter or use ice from an ice tray?
You should still boil tap water even if you're using a water filter. According to the CDC, most water filters don't remove bacterium or viruses.
And no, do not use the ice in your ice tray. You should throw out all ice made with tap water, including ice in trays, dispensers or ice makers.
Instead, the CDC recommends you make new ice with boiled or bottled water.
4. Cooking food under a boil water advisory
When preparing to cook, wash any food prep surfaces with boiled water.
You can cook to your heart’s content, but be sure to also wash your ingredients with boiled water that has cooled (or use bottled water).
CDC experts recommend using boiled water when preparing beverages like coffee, tea and lemonade.
When you’re ready to wash your dishes, you’re OK to use your dishwasher as long as your appliance reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees (or if your appliance has a sanitizing cycle), according to the CDC.
You can also use hot water mixed with a teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of hot water to hand-wash your dishes.
Just soak the rinsed dishes in the mixed water for at least one minute and let them air dry.
5. Is it safe to take a shower or brush your teeth?
Of course, but be careful not to swallow any water when doing so and, when brushing your teeth, do not use untreated tap water. Instead, use boiled or bottled water.
If you have a baby or young child, consider giving them a sponge bath.
6. How to feed your baby safely under a boil water advisory
While CDC experts recommend breastfeeding, if that isn’t an option, use ready-to-use baby formula.
Use bottled water or boiled water (or, if you can do neither, disinfect the water using the disinfecting steps above) to prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula.
Be sure to both wash and sterilize the nipples and bottles before feeding.
7. Is the water safe for your pet?
CDC experts recommend abiding by the same guidelines for pets as you would for yourself and your family. Give your adopted fur babies boiled water that has been cooled.
More about boil water advisory safety at CDC.gov.
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