Page Menu

Boil Water Notices

A boil water notice is a public notification advising customers to boil tap water before consuming it. Boil water notices are issued when an event has occurred with the potential to adversely affect water quality, or a situation has occurred where there is known degradation of the water quality.

There are 2 types of notices:

  • Boil water advisory
  • Boil water order

This is a localized public notification informing the public of a need to boil water and providing other information that the public needs. A boil water advisory:

  • Is a precautionary measure and is issued even when contamination is unlikely
  • The most common type of boil water notice
  • Is issued when the water system experiences a loss in positive water pressure, typically due to a serious main break
  • Loss of water pressure creates the possibility of harmful bacteria entering the pipelines
  • Until laboratory tests confirm the water has not been contaminated, the boil water advisory remains in effect

SUB’s Water Division Action

During a boil water advisory, SUB’s Water Division will:

  • Dispatch water crews to investigate the loss of pressure event
  • Inform customers of the boil water advisory, typically by posting door hangers
  • Take corrective action
  • Collect water samples and send them to a lab for analysis
  • Await lab results. This typically takes about 24 hours
  • Lift the boil water advisory once final results are satisfactory
  • Notify customers that the boil water advisory is lifted (typically via door hangers) and provide information on next steps

What Customers Should Do

During a boil water advisory, customers should do the following:

  • Do not drink the water without boiling it first
  • The safest and most effective method of water disinfection is to vigorously boil water for at least one full minute. Fill a pot with cold water and start timing when bubbles pop at the surface. Cool the water before using it for drinking, washing or tooth brushing.
  • Store the disinfected water in clean, covered containers.
  • Read Frequently Asked Questions for more information on actions to take.
  • Until the boil water advisory is lifted, use either boiled water that has been cooled, or bottled water, for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning food contact surfaces, preparing food and baby formula, and for making ice.

After Notice Is Lifted

Once the notice has been lifted:

  • Resume normal water use without taking additional measures
  • If your water is cloudy or discolored, run your faucets for a few minutes until the water runs clear

When under a boil water order, SUB will instruct affected customers to boil their water in order to kill bacteria and other organisms in the water. Customers should continue to boil water until SUB declares that the boil water order has been lifted. The order will be lifted only after the situation is fully resolved and laboratory tests confirm the water is no longer contaminated.

SUB’s Water Division Action

During a boil water order, SUB’s Water Division will:

  • Immediately inform affected areas of the situation using various media, as appropriate. This may include door hangers, social media, traditional media, SUB’s website, and in some cases, automated calls to customer for whom we have phone numbers on file.
  • Dispatch water crews to investigate the cause.
  • Take corrective action. Water system problems of this type typically require a more intensive and widespread response than those needed for a boil water advisory.
  • Collect water samples and send them to a lab for analysis.
  • Await lab results. This typically takes about 24 hours.
  • The Oregon Health Authority will lift the boil water order once final results are satisfactory and SUB will communicate this to affected customers. Note that the duration of this type of notice may be longer than a boil water advisory.
  • Inform customers that the boil water order is lifted, typically via the same notification channels used to originally notify customers, and provide instructions on how to flush water lines. Note that this flushing process may be more rigorous than flushing instructions given for boil water advisories.

What Customers Should Do

During a boil water order, customers should do the following:

  • Do not drink the water without boiling it first
  • The safest and most effective method of water disinfection is to vigorously boil water for at least 1 full minute. Fill a pot with cold water and start timing when steady streams of bubbles pop at the surface. Cool the water before using it for drinking, washing, or tooth brushing.
  • Store the disinfected water in clean, covered containers.
  • Read Frequently Asked Questions below for more information on actions to take.
  • Until the boil water order is lifted, use either boiled water that has been cooled, or bottled water, for drinking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, cleaning food contact surfaces, preparing food and baby formula, and for making ice.

After Notice is Lifted

Residents are advised to “flush” their water lines in order to clear plumbing of potentially contaminated water. Household and building water lines include interior and exterior faucets, showers, water, and ice dispensers, water treatment units, etc.

Residential Customers

Please use the following guidelines:

Cold Water Faucets

Run all cold water faucets in your home at the same time for five full minutes with the highest water flow possible. Avoid splashing or flooding of the drains. If you have a single-lever faucet, set it to run the cold water first.

Hot Water Faucets

To clear hot-water pipes and your water heater, turn on all hot water faucets (or turn your single-lever faucets to the hot position) and run for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot-water tank. For an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger, run water for at least 30 minutes. Hot water is then safe to use for washing hands, and for hand-washing of dishes, pots, and pans, etc. Remember, SUB recommends that you never use hot water for cooking or for preparing baby formula. Always start with cold water for these purposes.

Dishwashers

After flushing hot water pipes and your water heater, run your empty dishwasher one time.

Filters

Change all filters located at the tap or within an appliance.

Refrigerator water dispensers

Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed using at least one quart of water. If unsure of your dispenser’s capacity, refer to manufacturer specifications.

Ice cubes

To flush the automatic ice dispensers, make three batches of ice and discard.

Humidifiers

Discard any water used in humidifiers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices, and oral, medical, or health care devices. Rinse devices with clean water before using.

Food & Baby Formula

Discard baby formula and other foods prepared with water on the day(s) of the boil water notice.

Water Softeners

Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines specified in the owner’s manual.

Commercial, Industrial, & Institutional Customers

Businesses located in an area where a boil water advisory or order has been issued, and that either serve the public or have employees working on-site, must immediately put in place alternate procedures to provide water service:

  • Discontinue the use of tap water.
  • Boiled water can be used. Water that is chemically disinfected in the facility is not allowed.
  • Alternative sources of safe water must be provided for drinking, cooking, washing food or surfaces that come in contact with food, and for any other purpose that could result in water being ingested.
  • The facility must be closed if alternative sources of safe water are unavailable.

Facilities licensed by Lane County Environmental Health

Licensed facilities should follow Oregon Health Authority’s Emergency Response Guidelines during a boil water advisory or order if tap water is biologically contaminated. When a boil water advisory or order is issued, a health inspector will contact the facility to ensure operations include appropriate alternative procedures.

Critical Facilities

Critical facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes that cannot be closed must contact Lane County Public Health for assistance with operations during a boil water advisory or order. Critical facilities should immediately implement Emergency Response Guidelines for licensed facilities until a health inspector arrives.

For more information about Lane County Environmental Health requirements for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers, call (541) 682-4480 during business hours or (541) 682-4041 after hours.

What does a boil water notice mean?

A boil water notice means tap water should not be used for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, washing food preparation areas, nor for ice-making until tests verify the water is safe. Tests typically take 24 hours. In the meantime, tap water should be boiled to kill any microorganisms that may be present.

How will I be notified of a boil water notice?

SUB will notify customers if a boil water notice has been issued in their area. Depending on the number of customers and the size of geographical area affected, a boil water notice will be communicated via one or more of the following methods:

  • Door hanger
  • Press Release to TV and radio
  • Automated call-out for customers with a phone number on file
  • Social media
  • SUB’s website

Sanitizing Water

How long should water be boiled?

Follow the steps below for the safest and most effective method of water disinfection.

  • Fill a pot with water
  • Heat the water until bubbles break the surface
  • Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute
  • Turn off the heat source and let the water cool
  • Pour water into a clean container with a cover for storage
I don’t like the taste of boiled water. What can I do?

To improve the taste of boiled water you can:

  • Pour cooled boiled water back and forth from one clean glass or container into another to add air to the water, or
  • Let the water stand for a few hours, or
  • Add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water
How does boiling water make it safe to drink?

Disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites are destroyed by high, sustained heat. Boiling does not remove them from the water, but it does kill them, preventing them from causing illness.

I cannot boil my water. How do I disinfect my water to make it safe to drink?

Follow the steps below to properly disinfect water for drinking, cooking and/or brushing teeth.

If tap water is clear:

  • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
  • Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water
  • Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking
  • Store disinfected water for up to 5 days in a clean container with a cover. Water used after this time needs to be disinfected once again

If tap water is cloudy:

  • Pour through a clean cloth or coffee filter
  • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
  • Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water
  • Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking
  • Store disinfected water for up to 5 days in a clean container with a cover. Water used after this time needs to be disinfected once again

Sanitizing Containers

How do I sanitize my containers?

Containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store disinfected water.

To sanitize containers:

  • Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
  • Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups, or about 1 liter) of water
  • Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container
  • Let the clean storage container sit for at least 30 seconds, and then pour the solution out of the container
  • Let the empty container air dry or rinse it with clean water that has already been made safe, if available

Never use a container to store drinking water if it previously stored milk, fruit juice, or any toxic solid or liquid chemicals. If disinfected water has been stored for more than five days, follow the steps listed above to re-disinfect it before use.

Food & Beverages

What should I do about feeding my baby?

If you breastfeed, continue to do so. If you use or supplement with baby formula:

  • Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
  • Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water or don’t have access to bottled water (see above for directions on how to use bleach to disinfect water).
  • Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples with boiled or disinfected water before use.
  • If you cannot sterilize bottles, use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, and water from my refrigerator or soda dispenser?

Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer. Use boiled, bottled, or disinfected water to make ice — freezing does not disinfect water. If a boil water order was issued, consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances after the boil order is lifted. This is not necessary for customers under a boil water advisory unless SUB notifies customers to the contrary.

I have a water filter – doesn’t that protect me?

Water filters in refrigerators and pitchers do not remove bacteria. For under-sink filters, read the manual or check with your installer to determine the filter’s bacteria-removal capabilities. If in doubt, boil the water.

Is it safe to use a dishwasher?

Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150° Fahrenheit or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle.

To wash dishes by hand:

  • Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water
  • In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm water
  • Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least 1 minute
  • Let the dishes air dry completely

Hygiene

Can I do laundry?

It is safe to wash clothes in tap water while under a boil water advisory or order.

Is it safe to take a shower or bath?

Yes, it is safe to take a bath or shower, 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 they might swallow water.

Health

What should I do if I have symptoms?

First and foremost, avoid dehydration. If symptoms occur, drink plenty of disinfected fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as soda, coffee, and tea because caffeine is a diuretic and causes people to lose water. If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your health care provider or Lane County Health and Human Services.

Household Information

Is it safe to give pets tap water?

Many pets are susceptible to the same diseases as humans and can transmit the diseases to their owners’ families. Provide them with boiled or bottled water.