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Boil Water Alerts

When a water system is placed on a "boil water notice" by the State Health Department, or issues a self imposed "boil water alert", there are usually many questions that arise. This document has been prepared to answer some of these questions.

What is the difference between a Boil Advisory and a Boil Notice?

Boil water advisories are generally issued when water pressure drops. Repairs to pipes or pipe breaking may cause pressure to drop. Boil water advisory means that the water supply may have been biologically contaminated, and as such all water that is to be used for drinking or cooking should be brought to a 3 minute rolling boil.

Boil water notice is much more serious than an advisory as it has been confirmed that the water supply has been biologically contaminated. In this case, all water used for drinking or cooking must be boiled. A boil water advisory is a precautionary measure, but a boil water notice must be followed.

Who issues "boil water alerts"?

Boil water alerts can be issued by the individual State Primacy agency (in Arizona it is the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality) or by the officials of the water system (self imposed). In most cases, it is the water system officials that issue the boil water alert.

When are boil water alerts necessary or required?

The water system or state primacy agency should issue a boil water alert when the following occurs:

When a water system incurs an Acute Coliform Violation (E.Coli);
When a preponderance of the samples collected are total coliform positive (TC+)or E. Coli positive (EC+);
When a water system loses pressure on all or part of the system
The system is compromised and there is the possibility that all or part of the water system can or will become contaminated.

What should I do if there is boiled water advisory or boiled water notice?

Boil Water Advisory

A boil water advisory means that all water that is to be used for drinking or cooking should be brought to a rolling boil for at least 3 minutes.

 

Under a boiled water advisory, water not used for drinking or cooking does not necessarily need to be boiled. This includes water that is used for bathing or showering or water that is being used to do the laundry. Dishwashers can be used, however it is recommended that you use the hot water cycle. Refrigerator water dispensers and icemakers should not be used. Bottled or boiled water should be used for baby formula.

Boil Water Notice

A boil water notice means that tests show that bacterial contamination (coliform and other harmful bacterial pathogens) in the water supply is higher than national standards allow. All water for cooking and drinking must be boiled. Bottled water or boiled water should be used for brushing your teeth.

 

The old, very young, immune compromised and sick are at greatest risk of becoming ill if this water is ingested. Symptoms include stomach ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever.

Following a boil alert, is there any special maintenance procedures I need to conduct on my Watts Premier Microbiological Water Purifier System?

Once the boil alert has been lifted, it is important to note that your system should be cleaned and the filter elements replaced. Disinfect the system as directed in the installation instructions, and replace the pre and post filters. The RO membrane itself does not require to be replaced at this time.

  
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