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Water Advisories

What they mean, commons causes and what you need to do.

1) Boil Water Advisory (BWA)

What it means:

 

Your tap water may be contaminated with germs like bacteria or viruses. Boiling the water makes it safe to drink and use.

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Common causes:

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  • Water main breaks

  • Flooding or natural disasters

  • Drops in system pressure

  • Power outages at treatment plants

  • Routine maintenance or repairs

 

What to do: 

 

Boil tap water for at least 1 full minute (3 minutes at high elevations) before using it to..

  • Drink

  • Cook

  • Make ice

  • Brush your teeth

  • Mix baby formula

 

Use atmospheric water generation (ex. Spout), bottled or delivered water if available​

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Avoid swallowing water while bathing. Use sponge baths for infants.

 

Use a bleach rinse or sanitizing dishwasher for cleaning dishes.


Boiling does not remove chemicals — only germs.

2) Do Not Drink Advisory

What it means:

 

Tap water contains chemical contaminants that can’t be removed by boiling. It is not safe to consume, even after boiling.

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Common causes:

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  • Chemical spills

  • Pesticide or fuel contamination

  • Elevated levels of PFAS or lead

  • Cyberattacks altering treatment processes

 

What to do:

 

Do not use tap water for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.

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Use only atmospheric water generation (ex. Spout), bottled or delivered water for all needs.

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You can usually still wash hands and shower, but avoid swallowing water.

 

Follow local guidance closely — in some cases, bathing may also be restricted.

3) Do Not Use Advisory

What it means:

 

Tap water is not safe for any use, including drinking, cooking, bathing, or touching. Even skin contact may be harmful.

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Common causes:

  • Major chemical contamination

  • Oil spills or toxic industrial runoff

  • Cross-contamination with sewage

  • Extreme infrastructure failure

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What to do:

 

Avoid all contact with tap water.

 

Use only atmospheric water generation (ex. Spout), bottled or delivered water for all needs.

 

Follow emergency response updates and instructions.

 

May require temporary relocation or assistance from local authorities.

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