By Britt Smith

Your area is impacted with a boil water advisory, now what? First, no need to panic! Read below to see what causes this and what precautions are necessary to take.

What is a boil water advisory?

A boil water advisory (or notice) is a public notification to inform communities to boil their tap water before consumption due to contamination. Bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E. Coli are a few of the contaminants found in water during a boil water advisory. These are not life threatening, but can cause someone to become very sick (usually within the gastrointestinal system). Those most at risk are children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. The most common cause for this is a break or leak in the primary water pipe. Other causes include flooding, power outages, and treatment disruptions. Continue reading to find out what to do when these events happen.

What actions need to be taken?

First and foremost, do not consume any water by food or drink that has not been boiled during the advisory. Below is a list of common practices to take when under a boil water advisory:

• Before adding food to cook, make sure your water is at a boil for at least one minute. If you live in elevations of 6,500 feet or higher, boil your water for at least three minutes.
• Wash all fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has been cooled down.
• Use boiled water when preparing all drinks.
• Do not swallow water when showering or brushing your teeth.
• Provide pets with boiled water after cooling.
• Most household dishwashers are safe to use during this time if they reach a final temperature of 150 degrees.
• Use boiled or bottled water when preparing baby formula and be sure to sanitize all bottles with boiled water. The safest option is the ready-to-use formula.
• If you lose power, bottled water is the best solution until your power is restored.
• You CAN still wash your hands and your laundry. Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wait! Is there a simple solution you can use for peace of mind?
The answer to this question is YES! When an emergency happens, Aquatabs are a perfect solution to provide you with clean water quickly. Water filters and treatment systems are, unfortunately, not an effective remedy when there is a boil water advisory.

Aquatabs are tablets that kill microorganisms in water to prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. They produce no unpleasant taste or color and are simple to use. Use Aquatabs during a boil water advisory to treat all water used for drinking, food consumption, and brushing teeth. Even water cleaned through boiling can be recontaminated through a dirty bottle or the environment. These tablets have a five-year shelf life, making them the perfect go-to solution for emergency situations. Click here for more information on Aquatabs and to purchase them if interested.

How long do these advisories last?

In order to resolve a boil water advisory, water samples must be collected to test for bacteria within the main system. The first of these samples are taken on the day when the issue occurred, then another within 24 hours. Two consecutive days of “clean” results are required before the advisory can be lifted. These tests can take several days to come back from the lab, so it may be longer than 48 hours before the advisory is lifted.

What should you do after the advisory is lifted?

First, you will need to flush out all of the plumbing in your home to remove any contamination still within your pipes. This is accomplished by turning on the cold water at each faucet and letting it continue to run for at least five minutes. Any ice from your ice maker should be thrown away, along with the next 4-5 batches as well. Carbon filters for your ice maker, coffee maker, and refrigerator should all be replaced. If your home has a well, thorough cleaning and sterilization will be required (usually by a specialist). Cleaning these items will ensure that you do not get sick from contamination.

Can I clean my water filter or should I get a new one?

Your water treatment unit can remain, as long as certain steps are taken to clean out the contamination that may have occurred. The next steps can be completed by a water treatment professional:

• Cartridge carbon filters and other water filters: remove and discard the old filter cartridge, wash the sump and head with detergent and bleach, and insert a new cartridge.
• Whole-house carbon tank filter or water softener which contains carbon: First, empty the entire mineral bed. Next, thoroughly clean the unit with a bleach and water solution. Finally, re-bed the unit using a new carbon mix.
• Water softener: Flush and backwash repeatedly until the water is clear. Then, remove the well covers and the salt. Discard all the wet salt and existing water from the tank. Clean the tank with disinfectant and replace with new salt.

Stay safe by being prepared

Follow the steps above to ensure your family’s safety during a boil water advisory. Remember to adhere to all protocols until the notice is lifted. Be prepared for all emergency situations, like boil water advisories, with products like Aquatabs. Keep your water safe by being well-prepared and well-informed!