Part of the process of returning to a home or business that has been under a boil water notice is to make sure precautions are taken to ensure water is safe to use and does not endanger your health. When you return to a home under a boil water notice, plan to use bottled water or boil your water to make it safe to drink. Learn more about how to ensure your boiled tap water is safe. Boiling water is the most effective way to ensure it is safe for drinking, cleaning, washing dishes, brushing your teeth, etc. Remember to use bottled or boiled water (cooled) for your pets as well. Coffee makers and water filters are not safe ways to make the water drinkable. Dishwashers, even those with sanitizing options, are not recommended as a way to safely clean items. It is generally safe to take a bath or shower during while under a water boil notice but be careful not to swallow any water. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water. People with breaks in the skin should avoid contact with contaminated water.
Water use at home once the boil water notice is lifted: When the boil water notice is lifted, there are a few things you need to do to make sure the water you drink and clean with is safe. All cold taps in your home (sink, tubs, showers, refrigerator water dispensers) should run for up to 5 minutes to remove sediment and stagnant water from your lines. Coffee makers, dishwashers and washing machines should run through one cycle empty to accomplish the same goal. Dump ice left in any ice makers or ice machines.
Water use at a business once the boil water notice is lifted: When returning to a business after a boil water notice is lifted, you will also need to clear your water lines by running the taps in sinks break rooms, bathrooms, water fountains, ice machines, etc. If you are returning to restaurant, please follow CDC guidelines for your facility.
The water providers continue to sample drinking water quality and CDPHE are reviewing testing results. Contact your water provider for additional information and see CDC’s guidelines for additional information at https://www.cdc.gov/
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/health_professionals/bwa/commercial.html
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