Water Emergency Information
How to handle water advisories from your public water supply.
These guidelines explain what to do when your public water supply issues one of
the following notices regarding your water:
Water Conservation Notice:
Water Conservation Notices are usually issued during the summer months when demand
for water is high. They are issued to conserve water so the system can maintain
adequate pressure and backup water supply for local fire service providers.
All commercial and residential system users are required to conserve water by limiting
their water use as instructed in the conservation notice. Outdoor use is prohibited
as instructed by the conservation notice. These restrictions prohibit such activities
as watering lawns, gardens, filling swimming pools and washing cars, decks, or siding
during the restricted period.
Boil Water Notice:
The water supplier issues Boil Water Notices when there is low system pressure that
raises doubts to the potability of the water. During Low Pressure notices, there
is a possibility that the water in the system could contain potentially harmful
bacteria. To correct this problem:
- All water from the public water supply that is used for human consumption must be boiled for at least 10 minutes prior to use. This means bringing the water to a
rolling boil for 10 minutes and does not include heating the water prior to coming
to a boil.
- Instead of boiling water from the public water supply use commercially available
bottled water and bagged ice for personal consumption.
Also follow these basic precautions:
- Discard all beverages, food and ice made with questionable
water.
- Water may be used for showering, general cleaning purposes, washing hands,
washing dishes and utensils, and flushing toilets.
- Use hot water when washing dishes or cooking utensils.
- Use boiled water or commercial bottled water for brushing teeth, drinking, cooking,
watering pets, and washing foods.
- Once your water service is restored and deemed safe to drink by the supplier or
your public health department open all your faucets and flush your plumbing system
for 15 minutes.
- Tune in to the public service announcements provided through the local media.
- Food service facilities must contact their local health department immediately.
Total Water Ban:
Total Water Bans are issued by the water supplier when there is inadequate water
supply to maintain services. This condition can have many different causes but the
most common is extensive power failures or isolating portions of the system for
water main repairs. However, Total Water Bans could have more serious causes such
as a contamination event. Total Water Bans are typically issued when there is not
enough water supply to meet system demand.
Follow these precautions during a Total Water Ban:
- Obtain commercial bottled water for consumption and other uses such as preparing
baby formula.
- Avoid using system water for showering, general cleaning purposes, washing hands,
watering pets, washing dishes and utensils, and flushing toilets.
- Once your water service is restored and deemed safe to drink by the supplier or
your public health department open
all your faucets and flush your plumbing system
for 15 minutes.
- Tune in to the public service announcements provided through the local media.
- Food Service Facilities must contact their local health department immediately and
close the establishment.