It means the water that comes out of the tap should not be used for drinking, brushing your teeth, cooking, or washing fruits and vegetables. You should use only bottled water or water that has been boiled for five minutes for these activities.

The affected tap water should be brought to a rolling boil for 5 minutes before being used.

Each boil order situation is different, making it impossible to predict how long the boil order will remain in effect. It will not be lifted until testing shows that the water meets public health standards. However, in general, a routine boil order and verification testing window will take between 24 and 48 hours to complete. Once a boil order has been lifted, Public Works will go door-to-door again and issue GREEN notice to notify residents that the water has tested safe and the boil order is no longer in effect.

If a precautionary boil order was issued via RED notice, and a GREEN notice has been issued to clear it, then no.  The water tested safe and no contamination is known to have occurred.  If the water ever tests positive for microbiological contamination, more instructions will be issued at that time.

No, during a precautionary boil order, water should be boiled for 5 minutes before drinking, washing dishes, washing fruits/vegetables, making ice, or brushing teeth.

It is recommended that bottled water or water boiled for 5 minutes should be used for hand washing.  When this is not practical, it is recommended that if tap water must be used to wash and rinse, it should be followed up with the use of a hand sanitizer.  Consuming unsafe water is the most likely way to become ill. Using extra precautions with hand washing ensures that hands are clean for eating.

Yes, it is safe to shower or bath during a boil order. The primary concern is that the water is not consumed.

Yes, it is safe to wash clothes during a boil order provided detergents are used.

It is recommended that pets only be given tap water that has been boiled for 5 minutes.

The affected water may be used for dishwashing if a dishwasher machine is used. If dishes are hand washed, boiled water or bottled water is recommended.