PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT YOUR DRINKING WATER MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH BACTERIA
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT YOUR DRINKING WATER MAY BE CONTAMINATED WITH BACTERIA
BACKGROUND: Recent tests have indicated the presence of bacteria in your drinking water. We are currently under a BOIL WATER ORDER by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The following are precautions you can take:
DRINKING WATER: There are two simple and effective methods you can use to treat drinking water for microbiological contaminants.
BOILING WATER: Bring all water to a rolling boil and let it boil for at least one (1) minute, and let it cool before using or use bottled water. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth and washing dishes until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water
* Food establishments must boil the water for 5 minutes; large volumes of water need 5 minutes!
OR
Disinfectant: Disinfectant tablets obtained from a wilderness store or Pharmacy may be used. In an emergency, liquid chlorine bleach such as Clorox or Purex can be used at a dose of 8 drops (or 1/8 teaspoon) of bleach to each gallon of water. (Careful measurement with a clean dropper or other accurate measuring device is required when using liquid chlorine bleach). Let stand for at least 30 minutes before use. Read the label to see that the bleach has 5-6% available chlorine.
WASHING DISHES: It is best to use disposable tableware during the time the water needs disinfection. If that is not possible, the following steps should be taken:
Washed dishes: Should be rinsed in a solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach, as mentioned above, in a gallon of warm water (submersion in a dishpan for a minimum of 5 minutes is advised). The dishes should be allowed to air dry. Gloves should be worn when handling bleach to minimize any skin irritation.
Rinsed Dishes: Because of the many variables involved with dishes washed in a dishwasher, we recommend that you use the additional rinse step as described above.
OTHER WATER USE CONSIDERATIONS:
Bathing: Young children should be given sponge baths rather than put in a bathtub where they might ingest the tap water. Adults or children should take care not to swallow water when showering.
Brushing your teeth: Only disinfected or boiled water should be used for brushing your teeth.
Ice: Ice cubes are not safe unless made with disinfected or boiled water. The freezing process does not kill the bacteria or other microorganisms.
Washing fruit and vegetables: Use only disinfected or boiled water to wash fruits or vegetables that are to be eaten raw.
Hand Washing: Only boiled, water bottles or disinfected water should be used for hand washing and hand sanitizer.
Cooking: Bring water to a rolling boil for 1 minute before adding food.
*Food establishments must boil the water for 5 minutes; large volumes of water need 5 minutes!
Any ice, beverages, formula and uncooked foods that were prepared with water from the public water system on or after Tuesday (Sept. 6) should be discarded.
Infants: For infants use only prepared canned baby formula that is not condensed and does not require added water. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with contaminated water.
House Plants and Garden: Water can be used without treatment for watering household plants and garden plants. The exception would be things like strawberries or tomatoes where the water would contact the edible fruit.