Precautionary Notices
The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) requires a precautionary notice be issued after pressure in the water lines drops below a certain level. This is usually caused by a water main break, system maintenance, or problems at the water plant such as a loss of disinfection.
A precautionary boil water notice is issued to protect consumers when it is possible that drinking water has been contaminated by microorganisms that can cause illness (i.e. germs or pathogens). Common reasons for a boil water notice include loss of pressure in the water distribution system, loss of disinfection, and other water quality concerns caused by other events such as water line breaks, power outages and floods.
The Florida Department of Health has issued guidelines for the issuance of precautionary boil water notices to protect the public from exposure to drinking water contaminants that may have entered a drinking water distribution system during this events. These guidelines address what actions to take for instances of loss of power, natural disasters, microbiological contamination, low pressure and water line breaks.
A public water system can issue its own precautionary boil water notice using these guidelines, but the DOH-Hillsborough office and the public must be notified no later than 24 hours after the water system learns of the situation.
Methods of delivery include, telephone, emails, hand delivery or in large service areas, you may need to issue a press release.
A precautionary boil water notice must be include:
- The name of the water system
- Geographical area affected (such as streets, or city limits)
- Description of the problem and date it occurred
- Any corrective measure customers must take, such as boiling the water
- Include a statement indicating that consumers will be officially notified that the notice is lifted after satisfactory microbiological samples results are received
- Include a phone number for consumers to direct questions
You can also include a the link to our FAQs about Boil Water Notices
In order to lift or rescind a boil water notice, the water system must collect representative satisfactory bacteriological samples for two consecutive days. Water systems should consult with their regulatory agency to determine the number of samples required.
Templates are available for Precautionary Boil Water Notices and the Rescission of a Boil Water Notice
Any food establishment, such as restaurants or convenience stores must follow the Boil Water Notice Guidelines listed in the Industry Bulletin for Florida’s Food Industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Precautionary Boil Water Notice and a Mandatory Notice?
Precautionary Notice means that an incident occurred in which there is a slight chance of backflow or bacteria the entering system, such as, low or no pressure or a water main break or a disruption in the water plant treatment. A Mandatory Notice is issued when a microbiological contaminant is known to actually exist in the water in an amount that exceeds the allowable maximum contaminant level for drinking water standards.
How long will the need to boil water continue?
A boil water event typically lasts 24 to 48 hours, but it can be longer and may last several days. How long depends on what caused the need to boil, how quickly the problem can be corrected, and how long it takes for laboratory results to confirm your water is again ready to drink. Your water utility can answer questions on how long your boil water notice might last and advise you when you can return to normal water use.
How do I boil my water so that it is safe to drink?
Bring water to a FULL ROLLING BOIL for 1 MINUTE, then allow the water to COOL BEFORE USE. Because water may take 30 minutes to cool, plan ahead. Make up a batch of boiled water in advance so you will not be tempted to use it hot and risk scalds or burns. Boiled water may be used for drinking, cooking, and washing. The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by aeration: pouring it back and forth from one container to another. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or get water from another suitable source. Here’s an easy way to remember…ROLL for ONE then COOL.
What about ice cubes or home prepared foods that may contain water that should have been boiled?
Discard the ice cubes. If prepared food is not reheated, be on the safe side and don’t eat it.
Does using a coffee maker make it unnecessary to boil the water I use to make coffee?
No, you should still use boiled water or bottled water to brew your coffee.
Can I use the water to rinse vegetables or fruits?
No, use boiled or bottled water to rinse fruits and vegetables.
Can I hand-wash dishes with water that hasn’t been boiled?
Yes, use hot, soapy water and add one tablespoon of bleach per gallon as a precaution and rinse dishes in cooled water that was boiled first.
What if I use a dishwasher?
Only if your model has a sanitizing cycle. That will bring the temperature high enough to destroy any bacteria that may be present.
Can I take a shower?
Yes. Just be careful not to drink the water while you shower or bathe.
If I have breaks in my skin, is it still OK to shower or bathe in water that hasn’t been boiled?
It is recommended that if it is a large open wound or if you are immunocompromised, apply a waterproof bandage to the wound or take a sponge bath.
Do I have to boil the water for my pets?
To be on the safe side, yes.
Can I do laundry?
Yes, it is okay to do laundry.
What if I have a filter system on my faucet or refrigerator?
Most point of use filter are designed to improve the taste and odor of water and not remove harmful bacteria. Check the manual or contact the manufacturer for more information. If in doubt, you should boil your water or use bottles water.
What if I think I ingested some water that should have been boiled but wasn’t?
For a Precautionary Boil Water Notice, it is highly unlikely that anything actually entered the water system. If it did it would most likely be a type of bacteria that could cause digestive irregularities. If severe diarrhea or cramping occurs or if diarrhea or cramping occurs and lasts more than 3 to 4 days, contact your healthcare provider.
What should restaurants and food establishments such as convenience stores do?
Contact their licensing agency, either the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Business Regulation and follow the Florida’s Food Industry Guidelines and use bottled water for food preparation and turn off all ice machines.
What should the medical profession do, such as dentists?
The Center for Disease Control Boil Water Advisories has information for Dental Offices, child care, hospitals, healthcare, nursing homes and dialysis centers.
Mandatory Notices
By comparison, a mandatory notice is rare and far more serious, and its provisions should be strictly followed.
Mandatory Boil Water Notices, also known as Tier 1 Notices, are issued when a contamination is confirmed in the drinking water systems. Customers are instructed to boil the water to kill bacteria and other organisms, until the issue is resolved and the notice can be lifted. Boiling water kills or inactivates viruses, bacteria, protozoa and other pathogens by using heat to damage structural components and disrupt essential life processes (e.g. denature proteins). Boil water notices should NOT be used as a response to high levels of chemicals in drinking water, nor for water that is heavily contaminated with sewage.
Public Water suppliers are required to notify DOH-Hillsborough as soon as possible when a contamination is confirmed and a Tier 1 Mandatory Boil Water Notice must be issued to their customers within 24 hours of learning of the conditions that pose the public health hazard. The notice must include what happened, when it happened, whether to use an alternate source of water, the population that may be at risk, what actions to take, what the utility is doing to correct the problem and a contact name and phone number.
The public notice must be delivered by either radio, television, hand or direct delivery, posted in conspicuous locations or any method approved, in writing, by our office. This will remain in place until corrective actions have been taken and sampling show there is no contamination in the water supply. A mandatory boil water notice cannot be lifted without approval from the DOH-Hillsborough Safe Drinking Water Program.
Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and cool before using; or use bottled water. You should use boil or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until you are notified that the advisory has been lifted.
We also recommend the following steps:
- Throw away uncooked food or beverages or ice cubes if made with tap water during the day of the advisory
- Keep boiled water in the refrigerator for drinking
- Do not swallow water while you are showering or bathing
- Provide pets with boiled water after cooling
- Do not use home filtering devices in place of boiling or using bottled water; Most home water filters will not provide adequate protection from microorganisms
- Use only boiled water to treat minor injuries; When showering or bathing, avoid allowing the water to come in contact with an open wound
- Do not wash salad items with tap water during the period; Use bottled water or freshly boiled and cooled tap water
After the mandatory boil water notice has been lifted, you should flush household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means letting the water run to ensure that no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow these guidelines for flushing:
- Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute at one time with the highest water flow possible to prevent splashing or flooding of the drains
- To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines specified in the owner’s manual
- Run drinking water fountains for one minute at the highest flow rate possible
- Change refrigerator filters