How to Use Water Safely During a "Boil Water Advisory"

There are different reasons for issuing a boil water advisory.

1. A boil water advisory is based on information other than bacteriological examination indicating that the water in not safe to drink. (e.g., the lack or absence of disinfection residual in the drinking water.)
2. A boil water advisory may be based on bacteriological (microbial) examination, including the finding of bacteria or parasites.
3. A boil water advisory may follow the occurrence of an outbreak of illness in the community that has been linked to consumption of the water.

The extent of restriction on water use depends on the situation and the reason for issuing a boil water advisory. Always follow your own public health unit's recommendations on water use.

General recommendations on how to use the water if a boil water advisory has been issued in your community.

The water should NOT be used for drinking, making infant formula and juices, cooking, making ice, washing fruits, vegetables or brushing teeth. For these purposes, boiled water or bottled water should be used. The water should be brought to a rapid rolling boil and boiled for one minute. If there are children in the home, place the pot on the back burner to avoid scalds. Boil only as much water in a pot as you can comfortably lift without spilling. Discard all ice made previously and disinfect the ice cube trays. Make ice using boiled, cooled water.

Adults and teens may shower with untreated water as long as no water is swallowed. Older children could also be given a shower with a hand held showerhead, avoiding the face. Younger children should be sponge-bathed instead of bathing in a tub because they are likely to swallow tub water.

If the boil water advisory has been issued as a precaution and there is no outbreak of human illness, there is no need for additional hand disinfection with bleach solution or alcohol using the measures described below.

If the boil water advisory has been issued because of an outbreak, water can be used for hand washing after the following emergency water treatment: Place 1.5 ounces (about 45 millilitres) liquid household bleach in 10 gallons (45 litres) of water. Mix and let stand for at least 10 minutes prior to use.

You can use alcohol-based hand disinfectants, containing more than 60% alcohol. These products are widely used in the health care setting after washing hands or in situations when water is not available. The pre-moistened towlettes used for cleaning babies at a diaper change are not effective for disinfecting hands and should not be used for this purpose.

Yes, toys should be cleaned and disinfected. If the toys are visibly soiled, wash them first with soap and water and then disinfect with a freshly prepared bleach solution (1/4 cup (about 60 ml) bleach in to 1 gallon (4.5 litres) of water). Dip toys in to this solution and air-dry them. Cloth and plush toys could be washed or dry-cleaned.

If your dishwasher has a hot setting, it safely disinfects dishes. If your dishwasher does not have a hot setting, after finishing the cycle, soak dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 1oz (30 ml) of bleach mixed with 3 gallons of lukewarm water (13.5 litres). Let dishes air dry.

You could use boiled water for washing dishes. Dishes washed in soap and hot water can also be rinsed in boiled water or disinfected with the following bleach solution. Mix 1 ounce (about 30 ml) bleach in to three gallons (13.5 litres) of water at room temperature for at least one minute. Let dishes air dry.

Disinfection is a cleaning process which destroys most disease-causing micro-organisms or pathogens.

Counter tops, chopping boards or utensils which have come into contact with raw meat should be washed with soap and hot water first, then disinfected with a bleach solution stronger than that used for emergency hand disinfection. Mix 1/4 cup (about 60 ml) bleach in to 1 gallon (4.5 litres) water for this purpose. Do not reuse or store this solution, but make it fresh daily.

No, continue doing laundry the way you usually do. If you have to launder sheets heavily soiled with feces, carefully remove any soil before you place the sheets into the washer, without much agitation of the cloth. Use rubber gloves when handling heavily soiled sheets.

No, the water is not safe to use in wading pools. Water usually gets into the mouths of small children, providing a possibility for infection.

No. Filtered water should also be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking or using it for cooking.

Always follow your physician’s and dietician’s advice. You might be advised to use bottled water or to boil water for drinking and cooking, even in the absence of a boil water advisory.

• Run cold water faucets for one minute before using the water.
• Run drinking fountains for one minute before using the water.
• Flush all garden hoses by running cold water through them for one minute.
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
• Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°Celsius (normal setting is 60°Celsius).

• Water Safety During an Electrical Power Blackout
• Putting Your Well Water to the Test
• Get Acquainted with Your Well
• Pathogens and Your Well Water
• Disinfection Instruction Sheet
• Keeping Your Well Water Safe to Drink
• Choosing a Water Treatment System

Or contact your local public health unit.

Ministry of Agriculture and Food
OMAF Agricultural Information Contact Centre :
1-877-424-1300

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