Have you ever experienced a Boil Water Advisory? If so, you know they inconvenience you greatly but must be followed in order to protect you and your families health.
Boil Water Advisories are given by the government or health authorities when a communities drinking water may be contaminated by bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites that can make you very sick. Contamination of the municipal water supply can be caused by various factors such as equipment failures, leaking or broken pipes, or deficiencies in the amount of disinfectant used.
Contamination of wells can be due to flooding and other factors. If you are in an area where there is a Boil Water Advisory follow it even if you are on a private well.
Boil Water Advisories should be taken very seriously as they are designed to deliver critical information in order to protect your health.
Below are guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency to be followed during a Boil Water Advisory.
Fact Sheet About What to Do During a Boil Water Advisory
Boil your water:
- Fill a pot with water
- Heat until the water bubbles up from bottom of the pot (212 degrees F)
- Let it boil for 1 minute
- Turn off the heat & let cool
- Pour cooled water into a container for future use
Disinfect your water:
If tap water is clear:
- Use unscented bleach
- Add 1/8 tsp household bleach to 1 gallon of water
- Mix well & wait 30 minutes before drinking
- Store disinfected water in clean container with cover
If tap water is cloudy:
- Filter water through a clean cloth
- Add ¼ tsp unscented household bleach to 1 gallon of water
- Mix well & wait 30 minutes before drinking
- Store in clean container with cover
To sanitize containers:
- Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 tsp of unscented household bleach to 1 quart of water
- Pour sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well making sure it coats the entire inside of the container
- Let solution sit in container for at least 30 seconds
- Let empty container air dry or rinse with water that has been previously sanitized
Water Filters:
- Boil tap water even if it is filtered. Most household water filters do not remove viruses or bacteria
Preparing and cooking food:
- Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled or with bottled water
- Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food to cook
- Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea and lemonade
- Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water
Feeding babies & using formula:
- Breastfeeding is best, but if that is not an option:
- Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible
- If you must use concentrated or powdered formula, prepare it with bottled water. Use boiled & cooled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water
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
Bathing & showering:
- Be careful not to swallow any water when bathing or showering
- Use caution bathing babies and young children. A sponge bath is a good alternative during times of boil water alerts
Brushing teeth:
- Brush teeth with boiled or bottled water. Do not use untreated tap water
Washing dishes:
- Wash dishes using hot water
- Add 1 tsp unscented bleach for each gallon of warm water
- Soak dishes in water for at least 1 minute
- Let dishes air dry
Laundry:
- You may continue your normal laundry routine during a boil water alert
Pets:
- Give pets water that has been boiled and cooled
Source: www.cdc.gov
For more information on Boil Water Advisories: http:www.cdc.gov/healthywater/pdf/emergency/drinking-water-advisory-communication-toolbox.pdf
There is an easier way to protect your family year round. Call us for a Free Water Analysis and we can advise of Water Treatment Equipment that can provide you hassle free safe pure water even when there are Boil Water Advisories in your community.
Gainesville: 352-372-2707 Ocala: 352-369-1707