Emergency Disinfection

Certain emergency situations such as a fire, tornado, flood or major water main break could cause catastrophic effects on water services. In the event of water service interruption, recommendations may be made to boil water to ensure clean water for drinking, cooking, or brushing teeth.

Boiling water is sufficient to kill most disease-causing microorganisms that may be present in the water:

• Filter water by pouring it through a clean cloth, paper towel or coffee filter into a saucepan
• Bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. (Altitudes over 5,000 ft boil for three minutes)
• Let water cool down completely and store in clean containers with covers.
• Water may have a flat taste once boiled. If preferred, add one pinch of salt to each quart or liter of water. Or carefully pour water from one clean container to another several times before covering.