Boil Water Orders and Boil Water Advisories
Water Protection Program fact sheet | 08/2014 |
Division of Environmental Quality Director: Ed Galbraith | PUB2001 |
What
is a boil water order?
A boil water
order is issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to public water
systems when a threat to the public health exists, or is likely to exist, that
boiling the water will remedy. The public water system is then required to
notify consumers as soon as possible, and by the most effective methods, that
need to boil their drinking water.
What
is a boil water advisory?
A public water system may issue a boil water advisory when there is concern that a problem with drinking water may exist, but it has not yet been confirmed. These are most commonly issued for major water main breaks or other low-pressure events where the possibility of contamination intrusion exists. They may also be issued while waiting for results of confirmation samples collected for bacteriological analysis, which can take up to two days plus the time required to transport samples to the laboratory.
What
precautions should I take if under a boil water order or advisory?
The following
steps need to be taken:
-
Boil water vigorously for three minutes prior to use. Use only water that has been boiled for drinking, diluting fruit juices, all other food preparation and brushing teeth.
-
Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic ice maker. Remake ice cubes with water that has been boiled.
-
Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
Note: Let water cool sufficiently before drinking (approximately 110 degrees F).
Do
I need to boil bath water?
Water used for
bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is
necessary while bathing or using backyard pools so water is not ingested.
Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.
What
are the causes of boil water orders?
The presence of
fecal coliform or E. coli bacteria is a common cause for issuing a boil water
order. Other instances include low water pressure and inadequate levels of
chlorine at systems that require chlorination. High turbidity levels, cross
connections, inadequate treatment techniques and the presence of other microbial
pathogens such as Giardia or Cryptosporidium are potential causes for boil water
orders that occur less frequently.
What
are the symptoms of water-borne illness?
Disease
symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and possible jaundice and
associated headaches and fatigue. These symptoms, however, are not just
associated with disease-causing organisms in drinking water; they also may be
caused by a number of factors other than your drinking water.
Are
some groups of people more seriously affected?
Persons with
reduced immune function, infants under six months in age, and the elderly are
more seriously impacted by water-borne disease. Immune function may be reduced
due to chemotherapy for treatment, organ transplants or diseases such as
HIV/AIDS. Persons in these groups need to contact their personal physicians for
additional information.
Should
I buy bottled water just to be on the safe side?
Buying bottled
water may be a feasible alternative to boiling drinking water when under a boil
water order. Bottled water operations are routinely inspected, and samples are
analyzed by state health agencies. This offers a safe source of water for
drinking, cooking and brushing teeth.
Where
can I get more information?
To learn more
about your drinking water, contact the department at 800-361-4827 or the EPA’s
Safe Drinking Water hotline at 800-426-4791 if you are served by a public water
system. If you get your
drinking water from a private well, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at
800-392-0272.