Boil water notices are often issued because of disruption in power at the water treatment plant or due to distribution water pressure drop caused by burst pipes. In both cases, the water supplier cannot function properly in treating the water and must inform the public of unsafe water conditions.
If your municipal water supplier issued a "Boil Water Advisory" or your city was on a boil water notice, there are steps to take to ensure your household is safe throughout the duration of the advisory. You might also be interested in learning how a business can keep it's doors open during a boil water order.
What to Do After a Boil Water Order Ends?
Here are some recommendations on cleaning procedures and replacement of items that might have been compromised during a boil water advisory.
Flush Faucets & Pipes
Flush your plumbing and pipes. To flush your plumbing, run water through all of your cold-water faucets for at least 5 minutes. If your service connection is long or complex (such as in an apartment building) consider flushing for a longer period. Your property manager or landlord should be able to advise you on longer flushing times.
Clear Out Ice Maker
Dump existing ice and flush the water feed lines by making and discarding three batches of ice cubes. Wipe down the ice bin with a disinfectant. If your water feed line to the machine is longer than 20 feet, increase to five batches.
Sanitize RO System
Drain your RO storage tank, sanitize the system, and replace the reverse osmosis filters. The filters are disposable and may be contaminated. This especially applies to carbon filters and others that are near the end of their life. We can help you identify your replacement filters.
Flush Water Heater
Run enough water to completely replace at least one full tank of water.
Replace Filters, Tubing & Flush
Replace filters in water coolers, in line filters, and other appliances with direct water connections.
Regenerate Water Softener
Flush your water softening system by initiating the regeneration cycle.
Install a UV Sterilizer System and Never Worry During a Boil Water Notice Again
Viqua VH410-F20 UV Water Treatment System
The Viqua VH410-F20 is the ideal UV water filter system for treating well water, harvested rainwater and other UV water disinfection applications. The powerful 18-GPM system is preassembled with a 5-micron sediment filter to signifcantly reduce dirt, rust and sediment. The helpful lamp countdown timer reminds you when your UV lamp is due for replacement.
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How to Prepare for a Boil Water Order
The above recommendations are commonly suggested by cities and municipalities after a boil water order ends.
Taking the necessary precautions can protect your household from illness-causing microorganisms in water.
Most of us are unprepared for boil water advisories and some remain in effect for days or weeks. Here are suggested solutions to be prepared for future boil water orders:
Residential Solution: Besides storing water for times of emergency, you may consider purchasing an ultraviolet disinfection system. Ultraviolet (UV) is a safe, cost-effective, easy-to-maintain method of assuring that water is free of illness-causing microorganisms 24/7. Ultraviolet disinfection systems have the ability to destroy 99.99% of harmful microorganisms without the use of heat or chemicals and can purify 2-50 gallons of water per minute, depending on the system.
A restaurant or grocery store can install a water treatment system to kill waterborne bacteria and viruses and protect their customers. UV water sterilizers are a safe, cost-effective solution and most businesses can quickly realize a return on the investment.
Treating water with Ultraviolet (UV) light is one of the MOST effective ways to treat waterborne microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses... Read More>
