Safe drinking water after an emergency

Identify the exact advisory

A boil-water notice concerns germs. A do-not-drink notice may involve chemicals or toxins that boiling does not remove. A do-not-use notice can prohibit other contact with the water as well. These directions are different; boiling or filtering water is not a universal solution.

Use bottled water from a reliable source when officials advise it, and do not drink or use water or ice from appliances connected to an affected water line during an advisory. Check local utility, public-health department, and emergency-management updates for the affected area and when the notice ends.

Follow boil-water instructions carefully

For a boil-water advisory, CDC says to use commercially bottled water or bring tap water to a full rolling boil for one minute; above 6,500 feet, boil it for three minutes. Let boiled water cool before handling or drinking it. Follow the local notice if its instructions differ.

Boiling can kill disease-causing germs, but it does not remove harmful chemicals, toxins, or radioactive materials. Boil tap water even if it passed through a home filter when officials issue a boil-water advisory. Do not treat a do-not-drink advisory as a boil-water advisory.

Plan drinking and household needs

Needs and the right precautions vary by household and by notice. Follow public-health instructions about children, pregnancy, immune conditions, and medical devices. If you are unsure what applies, ask the local health department or a health-care professional.

• Ready.gov uses one gallon per person per day for several days as a basic kit-planning starting point. Hot weather, health, activity, medicines, and pets can change what your household needs; follow current local guidance.
• Store emergency water safely ahead of time and review current local guidance on containers, and when to replace it.
• Count household members, pets, essential care needs, and conditions that could change demand.
• Know where to find official notices for your water utility and local health department.
• Use the safety instructions for the exact advisory when cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing produce, bathing, or preparing infant formula.

Do not let appearance or memory replace a live notice

Contaminated water may look and smell normal, and old saved guidance cannot confirm current local conditions. Keep offline checklists for general preparation, but use a current official notice to make water decisions.

After officials lift an advisory, follow their instructions about flushing plumbing or appliances and safely resuming normal use. A public alert can change during an incident; check for new directions rather than assuming the first message is still current.