Boil Water Advisories

A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is a recommendation for you to boil your water for at least one minute; this is because there is a known microbiological contamination in the water supply or because there is a risk that contamination may be present in the water supply.

How to use water safely during a boil water advisory

During a Boil Water Advisory, everyone should boil the affected water source before using it for things such as drinking, making infant formula, cooking, making ice, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing their teeth. If you are unable to boil water, you should use bottled water. 

In order to make the water safe for these purposes, you must bring it to a rapid rolling boil for at least one minute. Throw out ice cubes made previously, disinfect the ice cube trays, and make new ice using boiled, cooled water. 

Water filtration devices do not make water safe to drink; you still need to boil it.

What can I do safely without boiling water?

Adults and teens may shower with untreated water as long as they do not swallow water. Older children can also have a shower with a handheld showerhead, avoiding the face. You should sponge-bathe younger children instead of bathing in a tub to avoid any accidental swallowing of tub water. 

If there is no advisory regarding an outbreak of human illness, you can use the water for washing hands. If an advisory has been issued because of an outbreak, water used for handwashing should be disinfected first by placing 1 mL of liquid household bleach (5% strength) per 1 Litre of water. Mix and let stand for at least 10 minutes before using.  

If your dishwasher has a hot (sani-cycle) setting, it safely disinfects dishes. If your dishwasher does not, you can soak cleaned dishes for 1 minute in a solution of 2mL of liquid household bleach (5% strength) with 1 Litre of water and let dishes air dry. If you are washing dishes by hand, you can use boiled water for washing dishes. Or dishes washed in soap and hot water can be rinsed in boiled water or a solution of 2 mL of liquid household bleach (5% strength) with 1 Litre of water and let dishes air dry.