Together Safe
2026-05-15 · 7 min read · Emergency Preparedness
During a boil water advisory, you must bring all tap water to a rolling boil for at least one full minute before consuming it, using it for cooking, making ice, or brushing your teeth. Alternatively, use bottled water. Do not rely on standard refrigerator filters or pitchers, as they do not remove harmful bacteria or viruses.
A boil water advisory is issued by local public health or water utility officials when there is a confirmed or suspected biological contamination in the municipal water supply. This can be caused by a severe drop in water pressure (often due to a massive water main break or power outage at a treatment facility), heavy flooding that washes contaminants into the reservoir, or a failure in the chlorination process.
To effectively neutralize pathogens like E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium, water must reach a rolling, vigorous boil for a minimum of one minute. If you live at an elevation above 6,500 feet, you should boil the water for three minutes. Once boiled, let the water cool naturally and store it in clean, sanitized, airtight containers.
During an advisory, tap water is not safe for washing fruits and vegetables, making coffee, or preparing infant formula. You must use boiled or bottled water for all food preparation. When washing dishes by hand, use hot soapy water and rinse them in a separate basin containing a solution of one teaspoon of unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of warm water, allowing them to air dry.
It is generally safe for adults and older children to shower or bathe using tap water during an advisory, provided they are extremely careful not to swallow any water. However, sponge baths are highly recommended for infants and toddlers to eliminate the risk of accidental ingestion. Remember that your pets are just as vulnerable to waterborne illnesses as humans; always provide them with boiled and cooled water or bottled water.
No. Standard carbon filters found in refrigerators and water pitchers are designed to improve taste and remove chemicals like chlorine; they do not filter out microscopic bacteria or viruses.
Yes, but only if your dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle or reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). If you are unsure, wash and sanitize dishes by hand.
Yes. You should immediately discard any ice made with tap water after the advisory was issued, and turn off your automatic ice maker until the advisory is officially lifted.
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