BOIL WATER

A boil notice protects public health when tap water may beunsafe, including:
1. A water main break or repairs;
2. Low water pressure from equipment failure or a poweroutage;
3. Tests showing potentially harmful microorganisms;
4. Flooding of the water source; or
5. Other situations requiring public health precautions.
How does boiling make tap water safe?
Boiling kills disease-causing bacteria, viruses, andprotozoans.

Bring tap water to a full rolling boil for one minute. Allowit to cool before use.

Yes. Use a microwave-safe container and maintain a full rolling boil for one minute. Place a microwave-safe utensil in the container to help prevent superheating—water heating above its boiling point without bubbles
or steam.

Yes. Boil tap water before using it to make any drinks or ice for consumption.

Yes. Use only boiled tap water or bottled water when mixing baby formula.

Yes. Use boiled tap water to wash vegetables you will eat raw.

Yes. Boil tap water for one minute before cooking, unless cookingincludes boiling it for at least one minute.

No. Add one tablespoon of unscented household bleach to asink full of tap water for washing dishes. Add bleach to the rinse water, too,
and air-dry dishes and utensils. For an electric dishwasher, turn on the
heating elements. After the cycle, rinse dishes in water with one tablespoon of
bleach added, then air-dry before use.

Yes. Any tap water that may be swallowed should be boiledbefore use.

Yes. Use boiled tap water for handwashing. Special soap isnot needed.

Boiled water is recommended. If using unboiled tap water, keepit out of your mouth and do not swallow it. Sponge-bathe infants and toddlers with cooled, boiled water. Special soap is not needed. Keep unboiled water away from deep open or surgical wounds; ask your healthcare provider about wound care.

No. Unboiled tap water can be used for laundry and flushingtoilets.

Yes. Devices that improve taste, odor, or chemical quality,such as activated carbon filters, do not remove harmful microorganisms. Continue boiling your tap water.

Yes. Use bottled water from a reliable source wherever theseFAQs call for boiled tap water.

No. Use an approved, tested source. Well or spring water’ssafety cannot be confirmed without routine testing.

You can provide boiled tap water. Ask your veterinarian whetherthis precaution is necessary.

Contact your healthcare provider. Your doctor can call theWest Virginia Office of Environmental Health Services at (304) 558-2981 about the notice and should notify the local health department if water borne illness is suspected. People with weakened immune systems—including chemotherapy patients, organ transplant patients, and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders—and some older adults and infants may be at greater risk. They should ask their healthcare provider about drinking water. For guidelines on reducing infection risks from water microorganisms, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)426-4791.

You will be notified when testing confirms the water is safe.Until the advisory is lifted, continue boiling tap water for one minute for the
uses covered by the advisory. Follow any instructions to flush your pipes or
take other precautions.