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Boil water advisory vs. do not drink advisory: what each means
| Question | Boil water advisory | Do not drink advisory |
|---|---|---|
| What it signals | Germs that can make people sick may be present in tap water. | Chemicals or toxins may be present for which boiling may not be effective. |
| Basic response | Use commercially bottled water or boil tap water as directed. | Use commercially bottled water or another source specified by local officials. Do not assume boiling will fix the problem. |
| Other household uses | The notice may give separate directions for cooking, brushing teeth, bathing, handwashing, dishes, and other uses. | The notice may restrict cooking, brushing teeth, produce, formula, ice, dishes, cleaning, bathing, or other activities. |
| When normal use resumes | Follow the local notice, including its instructions for when the advisory ends. | Follow the local notice, including which uses are restricted and when those restrictions end. |
The labels are not interchangeable. The CDC explains that advisory recommendations depend on the germ or chemical involved and that people should follow local officials’ instructions in its Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview. A third label, do not use, is stricter: while it is in effect, CDC says not to use tap water for any purpose because contact can be dangerous.
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What to do during a boil water advisory
Boil water correctly
For water you need to treat, use bottled water if available. Otherwise, bring clear tap water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute; at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil it for 3 minutes. These are CDC instructions for making water safer from germs. Let boiled water cool before use, then keep it in a clean, sanitized container with a tight cover.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIf the water is cloudy, CDC’s emergency water-safety guidance says to filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter, or let it settle and carefully draw off the clear water before boiling. Boiling kills germs; it does not remove chemicals. Do not try to make water safe by boiling it if local officials have warned about chemical contamination.
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Drinking, food, and personal care
CDC recommends bottled or boiled water for drinking and food preparation, and bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth during a boil water advisory. Follow the local notice for other uses. In many cases, handwashing with tap water and soap is possible, but avoid swallowing water while bathing or showering. Take extra care with babies and young children.
Dishes and appliances
CDC says dishwashers are generally safe during a boil water advisory if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final-rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). For hand-washed dishes, wash and rinse normally, then soak them for at least 1 minute in a separate basin containing 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach per gallon of warm water. Air-dry them completely. Use these steps only if they match the local notice.
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During any drinking-water advisory, do not drink or use water or ice from appliances connected to the water line, including refrigerator and freezer dispensers. CDC also says laundry can be done as usual during a boil water advisory, and tap water can be used for gardens and houseplants, including edible plants; check the local notice for incident-specific exceptions.
What to do during a do not drink advisory
Use commercially bottled water or the alternative source specified by local officials for drinking and the activities the notice restricts. CDC lists bottled water for cooking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food, mixing baby formula, making ice, and giving water to pets. It may also address dishes, cleaning, bathing, toilet flushing, and other activities; restrictions are not identical in every incident.
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Do not boil tap water as a substitute unless officials explicitly tell you to do so. A do not drink advisory may be issued when boiling will not kill, inactivate, or remove the contaminant, or could concentrate it or release it into the air. That distinction is described in the CDC’s Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox glossary.
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How to confirm what applies at your address
- Check the affected area. Use the water utility’s or local health department’s notice to confirm that your address is included; do not assume the advisory covers an entire town or service area.
- Read the instructions for each use. Look specifically for drinking, food preparation, formula, ice, brushing teeth, handwashing, bathing, dishes, cleaning, and pets.
- Check for updates and the end notice. Keep following the restrictions until local officials say they are over and provide any steps needed before returning to normal use.
- Contact the utility or health department if anything is unclear. The contaminant and incident determine which advisory is appropriate and what actions are needed; CDC’s advisory guidance emphasizes specifying who is affected, what to do, and for how long.
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