Boil Water Notice

In Case of a Boil Water Notice

Water for drinking, cooking, and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption to ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for at least two minutes, up to five is recommended. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

When under a Boil Water Notice, residents on City of Hutto water are advised not to drink, make ice or brush teeth with tap water unless it has been boiled, until further notice. Residents who have weakened immune system are advised not to wash their hands or shower or bathe with tap water.

When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you.

Boil Water Notice Precautions

All other residents are advised to take precautions for the below hygiene actions:

  • Washing hands: Use soap and tap water, dry hands then apply hand sanitizer; the safest option is to wash with safe water.
  • Shower or bath: Being careful not to swallow any water, one may take a shower safely. Using caution when bathing infants and young children so that no water is swallowed is considered fairly safe. A sponge bath reduces the chance of swallowing water. 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.

After a Boil Water Notice Has Ended

When a homeowner is notified that the boil water advisory has ended and the drinking water supply is safe, the following actions should to be taken before you consume the water.

Flush Water

  • Unscrew and remove the faucet aerator (screen)
  • Turn on each cold water faucet/tap slowly
  • Run cold water for five minutes
  • Clean and reinstall aerator

Hot Water Tanks

To clear hot water pipes and water heater of untreated water run hot water only at all faucets and flush until water runs cool or typically for a minimum of:

  • 15 minutes for a typical household 40 gallon hot water tank
  • 30 minutes for a hot water tank greater than 40 gallons

Replace Filters

Water filters that are commonly used in refrigerators, faucets, pitchers, under the sink, and the whole house, etc. are not designed to remove the specific bacteria potentially present during a boil water advisory. If you ran water through your filter during the boil water advisory, the filter could be contaminated.

  • Remove and discard water filters
  • Replace with a new filter following flushing
    • If you cannot flush or run water when filter is removed, replace with new filter after flushing
    • Always follow manufacturer's directions for filter replacement

Check Appliances & Devices

Always read and follow the owner's manual for directions to clean and flush all appliances that use water.

  • Dishwashers: After flushing hot water pipes and water heater, run empty dishwasher one time on the hottest or sanitize cycle
  • Refrigerators/Freezers: Always follow filter replacement recommendations
    • For refrigerators without filters, flush water dispensers by running at least one quart of water
      • If unsure of your dispenser's capacity, refer to manufacturer specifications
    • Flush home automatic ice makers. Make three batches of ice cubes and discard all three batches
  • Water Softeners: Run water softeners through a full regeneration (flush) cycle
  • Portable Humidifiers: Discard any water used in the device
    • Rinse the device with clean water and sanitize
    • If your humidifier has a filter, sanitize the humidifier and replace the filter
    • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product
    • Use distilled or demineralized water in humidifiers
  • Furnace Humidifiers: There is potential for bacteria to grow on humidifier pads and in humidifier reservoirs after a boil water advisory
    • Follow manufacturer's guidelines to clean and disinfect all parts of the humidifier
    • Replace humidifier pad if it cannot be disinfected
  • Other Devices: If you used contaminated water during the boil water advisory in nebulizers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, oral, medical, or health care devices, take the following actions:
    • Discard any water used in the devices listed above
    • Rinse the device with clean water and sanitize
    • If your humidifier has a filter, sanitize the humidifier and replace the filter
      • Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when you use bleach or any other cleaning product
      • Sterile water should be used for CPAP machines and nebulizers. Follow manufacturer's directions

More Information

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may contact the Hutto Public Works at 512-759-4016.