How Boil-Water Notices Are Issued
Individual water systems issue precautionary boil-water alerts when water pressure is lost. Water systems are responsible for notifying their customers directly using whatever means necessary when such a self-imposed boil-water alert is issued.
When water testing by the MSDH Public Health Laboratory indicates problems related to water quality, MSDH immediately sends a state-issued boil-water alert to the public via press release and this website. The local water system is again responsible for notifying customers directly.
In addition to posting state-issued alerts on this site, MSDH will post self-imposed alerts if properly notified by water system officials. MSDH will issue press releases to radio, television, and newspapers in the affected area to supplement the public notification efforts of the water system.
Checklist for Safe Water Use During a Boil-Water Alert
Do Not:
- Do not drink tap water while the water system is under a Boil-Water Alert advisory.
- Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the affected system
- Do not use ice unless it has been made with boiled water; freezing will not necessarily kill harmful bacteria
- Do not use tap water to make fountain soft drinks or coffee.
Do:
- Wash your dishes in boiled water, or use paper plates for the next few days
- Wash your fruits and vegetables with boiled or bottled water since they may have been exposed to affected water from grocery store sprayers
- Wash your hands and bathe as usual. Bathing is safe if no water is swallowed
- Brush your teeth with boiled or bottled water
- Cook with tap water if the food is boiled for at least 1 minute
- Use boiled water to make drinks, juices or infant formula.
When Your Boil-Water Alert Is Lifted
- Flush faucets for a total of 10 minutes to introduce system water throughout house plumbing.
- Example: 1 faucet — run for 10 minutes, 2 faucets — run both for 5 minutes, 3 faucets — run each for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Flush any faucet a minimum of 2 minutes to ensure clearing of the line serving the faucet.
- Discard any drinks, ice, food, etc, made during the Boil-Water Alert.
- Rewash any food or drink contact items (knives, forks, plates, etc.) with “cleared” system water.
- Check water filters (in faucets, refrigerators and elsewhere) and replace them if necessary.
- Run dishwasher through a cycle or 2 before washing dishes.
And Remember: Properly chlorinated water in swimming pools is safe. Fish in aquariums are not affected. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will inactivate all major types of harmful bacteria.