Emergency Preparedness

What to do during a boil advisory/order:

• Boiling Water
  • Fill a pot of water.
  • Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
  • Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for AT LEAST 1 minute...
  • Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
  • Pour the water into a clean container with a lid 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.
• Ice
  • 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.
• Preparing and Cooking Food
  • Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or bottled water.
  • Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food to cook.
  • Use boiled water (that has cooled) when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and lemonade.
  • Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.
• Feeding Babies and Using Formula
  • Breastfeeding is best. Continue to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is not an option:
  • Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
  • Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water (that has cooled) if you do not have bottled 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.
• Brushing Teeth
  • Brush teeth with boiled water (that has cooled) or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water.
• Washing Dishes in Dishwasher
  • 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
  • Pets can get some of the same diseases as people. It is a good idea to give them boiled water that has been cooled.
• Disinfecting Water
  • If you are unable to boil your water, disinfect it instead.
  • If tap water is clear:
    • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
    • Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
    • Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
    • Store disinfected water in a clean container with a cover.
  • If tap water is cloudy:
    • Filter water using a clean cloth.
    • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
    • Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water.
    • Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.
    • Store disinfected water in a clean container with a cover.
    • Remember that containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store safe water.
  • To Sanitize Containers
    • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent).
    • Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups, or about 1 liter) of water.
    • Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container.

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