Get Started with a  Free Water Consultation
FIND A LOCATION NEAR ME
Pin location icon FIND A LOCATION NEAR ME
Zip/Postal Code is required
Area of Interest is required
Dealer not found
Pin icon ...
Water Safety

What is a Boil Water Advisory? Get in the “Know”

Wave
image of water
image of water

What is a Boil Water Advisory? Get in the “Know”

Culligan

In the United States and Canada, we assume the water we drink from the tap is safe, but that’s not always the case. Have you ever experienced that lovely alert known as a “Boil Water Advisory”? If so, you have experienced the inconvenience; if not, let us fill you in so if you ever do fall victim to a boil water advisory, you can be prepared.

Some of you may be wondering, what are boil water advisories? Basically, they are a public health advisory given by the government or health authorities to consumers when a community’s drinking water is or could be contaminated by pathogens, a.k.a. bacteria, viruses, protozoa or parasites. Let’s just say, the water can make you sick! According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contamination can be caused by a variety of factors, including equipment failure, leaking/broken pipes in the water system or insufficient disinfectant in the water supply. The boil water advisory gives you information so you can take action to protect your health.

The CDC states that boiling water can be used as a pathogen reduction method that should kill all pathogens. Essentially, boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. To ensure water is sterile, it needs to be brought to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Once this is done, the boiled water should be cooled and can then be used for your water needs.

A few quick tips for those who encounter boil water advisories:

Use Tap Water for:

  • Washing clothes (unless water is cloudy)
  • Taking showers (adults and older children)
  • Flushing toilets


Use Boiled Water for:

  • Drinking
  • Brushing teeth
  • Washing fruits and vegetables
  • Preparing food
  • Mixing baby formula
  • Making ice


Proper well and septic system construction and maintenance is the key to helping keep germs out of drinking water and preventing boil water advisories. Regularly testing water and regularly inspecting septic systems also ensures any problems are caught. Remember, when you need your water tested, call the Culligan Man. He has the hook-up for all your water testing needs!

For more information regarding what to do if you experience a boil water advisory, click here.

Back to Articles Homepage

Related Articles

Related Tags

Schedule Your Free
In-Home Water Test

Get better water in your home by scheduling an appointment with your local Culligan Water Expert.

Discover More

Explore
Our Products

Wave

Water Softeners

With any of our soft water systems, get more out of your water-using appliances while spending less on energy and detergent.

See Water Softeners

Water Delivery

There’s never been a better time to enjoy the convenience of scheduled bottled water deliveries from the Culligan® Water Experts

See Water Delivery Options

Water Filtration Systems

Culligan’s water filtration systems have improved water quality for thousands of families worldwide.

See Water Filtration Systems