Boil Water Notice Information

Water for drinking or other human consumption should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. Follow the steps belwo:

1. Fill a pot with water.
2. Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
3. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 2 minutes.
4. Turn off the heat source and let the water cool
5. Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.

Water filters: Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove bacteria or viruses.

Preparing Food:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or with bottled water.
• Bring water to a rolling boil for 2 minutes before adding food to cook.
• Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade
• Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.

Ice Making:

• Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice makers.
• Throw out all ice made with tap water.
• Make new ice with boiled or bottled water.

• Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
• Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water.
• Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use.
• If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

Bathing and showering:

• Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering.
• Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.

Washing Hands: 

• During a boil water notice, you can use tap water and soap to wash hands. Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and rinse well under running water.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 

Brushing teeth: Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.

• Dishwashers: Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150 degrees or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.
• Washing dishes by hand:
  • Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water.
  • In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water.
  • Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least one minute.
  • Let the dishes air dry completely.
• Laundry: It is safe to do laundry as usual.

Pets can get some of the same diseases as people. It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled too.