A Utah town or community water supply 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.
Out friendly service technicians can help you with disinfection of piping, water appliances, or water softeners and filters.