A regional, city, or community water supply in Utah can issue a boil order if routine water tests indicating the presence of E.coli bacteria. Coliform bacteria are a big family of possibly dangerous bacteria. Escherichia coli, also know as E.coli is found in the intestines of mammals like humans and other furry animals.

Not all strains of E.coliare harmful. The dangerous strains of E.coli are associated with gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and meningitis. Symptoms of E.coli illness can include: stomach cramps, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever, and problems breathing.

The water supplier will fix the problem by flushing water distribution lines, shock-chlorinating, and possibly even replacing contaminated pipes and fittings. The city water department will also be working with the State of Utah DEQ and County Health Department to make sure that they don’t miss anything and that they’re using the latest techniques and technologies.

Since each boil order situation is different, it is impossible to predict how long the boil order will remain in effect, but you can expect a minimum of 48 Hours, since it takes time to get test results back. It will not be lifted until tests show that the water is safe again.

If your Utah water provider has issued a Boil Order, here are some things you need to know:

 BOIL TAP WATER BEFORE DRINKING

Bring water to boil, keep it boiling for 60 seconds, and then allow it to cool before drinking

DON’T LET YOUR PETS DRINK TAP WATER

Give them bottled water and be sure to clean and disinfect their water bowl

DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH TAP WATER

Disinfect your toothbrush and then only use bottled water

DO NOT DRINK WATER FROM YOUR FRIDGE

Turn off the water feed to your fridge and discard your fridge filter

 DON’T USE ICE FROM YOUR ICE-MAKER

Throw out ice in the ice bin and turn the ice-maker off

DON’T WASH YOUR HANDS WITH TAP WATER

Use bottled water or hand sanitizer

IF YOU SHOWER, DON’T LET WATER GET INTO YOUR EYES OR MOUTH

Babies, older persons, and those with compromised immune systems should not bathe in the water

DO NOT DRINK WATER FROM YOUR WATER FILTER

Carbon filters, sediment filters, and even Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems are not suitable for removing bacteria. Crusader Ultrafilters that we sell are safe to continue using.

USE THE DISINFECT/STERILIZE CYCLE ON YOUR DISHWASHER

If you hand-wash, immerse the clean dishes in water with bleach added (1 tsp. per Gallon) and let them stay in the bleached water for at least 1 minute.

USE HOT/HOT CYCLES ON YOUR CLOTHES WASHER

The hotter the better, and after each load, run an empty load (or load of whites) with a cup-full of bleach to minimize contamination

TURN OFF YOUR CENTRAL HUMIDIFIER

Throw away humidifier evaporator pads and turn the water off to the humidifier

DISINFECT WATER FOR YOURPORTABLE HUMIDIFIER

Add 4 Tsp. of Hydrogen peroxide per Gallon of water

BYPASS YOUR WATER SOFTENER

 

 

AFTER THE BOIL ORDER IS LIFTED

When the boil-order has been lifted, flush and disinfect the household plumbing.  Then disinfect your clothes washer, dishwasher, water heater, humidifier, ice-maker, and any other  ppliances connected to your house plumbing.

If you have a water softener, conditioner, salt-free system, or whole-house filter, disinfect it according to manufacturer’s instructions or have one of our technicians come and help out.

If you have a drinking filter, throw away the filter, sanitize according to manufacturer’s instructions, and install new cartridge/s.

Our friendly Utah-based service technicians can help you with disinfection of piping, water appliances, or water softeners and filters.