Advisories are issued to notify the public when drinking water may be unsafe to help prevent water-borne illness.

Causes of unsafe drinking water include:

• Dirty or unsafe source water, such as a well or surface water.
• Problems with disinfection or broken equipment.
• Watermain breaks or drops in water pressure.
• Flooding or power outages.

Boil Water Advisory (BWA)

Issued when bacteria or harmful organisms are in the water, and boiling makes it safe.

During a BWA, do not use the water directly from you tap. Use boiled, treated, or bottled water for:

• Drinking, preparing and washing food
• Making ice or beverages
• Preparing infant formula (ready-to-serve formula is safest if water safety is a concern)
• Brushing your teeth and gargling
• Washing dishes
• Pets' drinking water

How to boil water: 

• Fill a pot with water.
• Bring the water to a rolling boil for one full minute.
• Let cool and store in a clean, covered container.

Tap water can still be used without boiling for: 

• Bathing and showering
• Handwashing
• Cleaning and laundry

Safe Alternative Water Supplies

• Municipal water supplies or commercially bottle water are safe alternatives.
• Unopened bottled water is the most reliable water source in an emergency.

When collecting water from municipal filling stations:

• Use clean, food grade containers.
• Use durable, unbreakable materials (not glass).
• Do not insert hoses directly into containers when filling.

If You Drank the Water

Illness can occur when you drink contaminated water.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Stomach cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Contact your health provider if you are experiencing symptoms and drank water that may be contaminated.

• If you have diarrhea, your provided may request a stool sample.

When Advisories Are Lifted

• Advisories are lifted when laboratory tests confirm the water is safe.
• This may take several days depending on the contamination and corrective actions.

After and Advisory is Lifted

Municipal Water Supplies

• Run cold water faucets for five minutes.
• Run drinking fountains for five minutes.
• Large-volume users (restaurants, hospitals, schools) may need longer flushing.
• Flush garden hoses for five minutes.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Replace water filters.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) units: replace pre-filters and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances with water line connections (e.g., fridges with water and ice dispensers).
• Drain and flush all ice-making and soda fountain machines.
• Dispose of ice made during the advisory.
• Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (113°F). Normal setting is 60°C (140°F).

Small and Private Systems:

• Assess wells or surface water intakes for damage or visible contamination.
• Disinfect the well and internal plumbing.
• Change treatment filters.
• Check water treatment devices are working properly.
• Test your water.
• Continue using alternative water source until test results confirm safety.
• Flush garden hoses for five minutes.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances with water line connections (e.g., fridges with water and ice dispensers).
• Dispose of ice made during the advisory.
• Drain and flush ice-making and soda fountain machines.
• Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (113°F). Normal setting is 60°C (140°F).

 Updated November 21, 2025