What
is the proper way to disinfect my water so that it is safe to
drink?
The preferred method of treatment is boiling. Boiling water
kills harmful bacteria and parasites (freezing will not
disinfect water). Bring water to a full rolling boil for at
least one minute to kill most infectious organisms (germs). For
areas without power, disinfect the tap water by adding eight
drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of plain unscented household beach
per gallon of water and allow the water to stand for 30 minutes.
If the water is cloudy, repeat the procedure. Use a container
that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be
used for drinking. This will prevent contamination. If your well
was flooded, boiling the water is the safest action, since
disinfection does not kill certain parasites.
How
should I wash my hands during a boil water advisory?
Based on the current conditions of the affected public water
supplies, vigorous hand washing with soap and your tap water is
safe for basic personal hygiene. If you are washing your hands
to prepare food, if at all possible, you should use boiled (then
cooled) water, disinfected or bottled water with hand washing
soap.
Is
potentially contaminated water (where Cryptosporidium is not the
significant contaminant) safe for washing dishes or clothes?
Yes, if you rinse hand-washed dishes for a minute in a bleach
solution (one tablespoon bleach per gallon of water). Allow
dishes to completely air dry. Most household dishwashers do not
reach the proper temperature to sanitize dishes.
It is safe to wash clothes in tap water.
Is
potentially contaminated water safe for bathing and shaving?
The water may be used for showering, baths, shaving and washing,
so long as care is taken not to swallow or allow water in eyes
or nose or mouth. Children and disabled individuals should have
their bath supervised to ensure water is not ingested. The time
spent bathing should be minimized. Though the risk of illness is
minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are
immunosuppressed, or have a chronic illness may want to consider
using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the advisory
is lifted.
How
should I wash fruit and vegetables and make ice?
Fruits and vegetables should be washed with boiled (then cooled
water) or bottled water or water sanitized with eight drops
(about 1/8 teaspoon) of unscented household bleach per gallon of
water. Ice should be made with boiled water, bottled water or
sanitized water.
What if I have already consumed potentially contaminated water?
Even if someone has consumed potentially contaminated water from
either a public water system or a private well before they were
aware of the boil water advisory, the likelihood of becoming ill
is low. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting, abdominal cramps, with or without fever, should seek
medical attention.
What infectious organisms might be present in contaminated
water?
Disease transmission from contaminated water occurs principally
by ingesting water. The major organisms of concern are protozoa
such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and bacteria, such as
Shigella, E. coli and viruses. These organisms primarily affect
the gastrointestinal system, causing diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
nausea, and vomiting with or without fever. Most of these
illnesses are not usually serious or life threatening except in
the elderly, the very young or those who are immunocompromised.
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