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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →First, find out whether your home has lost water service, whether the water is under a safety advisory, or both. Check your water utility’s current notice and follow instructions from the utility and local health department for your address. An outage does not automatically mean you should boil water, and boiling is not appropriate for every contamination warning.
Start by identifying the problem
A water interruption can mean no water is reaching your taps, or that water is available but officials have restricted its use because of possible contamination. The two problems can occur together, and they require different responses. Check your water utility’s website, alert system, or phone line for the affected locations, the type of notice, permitted uses, and updates. If your utility has not issued a notice but you suspect a problem, contact it and ask whether the supply is affected.
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Do not use appearance, smell, or taste to decide that water is safe. Follow the notice that applies to your location; if the wording or boundaries are unclear, ask the utility or health department before using tap water.
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- No advisory, but no water: Conserve any safe water you already have and contact the utility to report the interruption and get an estimated restoration time.
- Boil-water advisory: Use bottled or boiled water for the uses specified by officials. A household filter does not remove the need to boil tap water under CDC guidance.
- Do-not-drink advisory: Use bottled water for drinking and food uses as directed. Do not assume boiling or ordinary disinfection makes the water safe.
- Do-not-use advisory: Avoid tap water for every use covered by the notice. Contact local officials for instructions about safe alternatives.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that local authorities may recommend bottled, boiled, or disinfected water during emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, or water-pipe breaks. Which option is appropriate depends on the incident, so the local notice takes precedence over general advice.
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Check the notice before choosing a response
Use the notice’s exact advisory type, geographic boundaries, and list of permitted uses—not a general rule you have heard for a different outage. A boil-water instruction addresses germs and tells you which uses require bottled or boiled water. A do-not-drink notice directs people to bottled water for drinking and food uses. A do-not-use notice is broader: avoid tap water for any purpose covered by the warning, because contact itself may be dangerous. If a notice is unclear about your address or a particular household activity, contact the utility or health department rather than guessing.
When comparing options, ask four practical questions: Has an advisory been issued, and what kind? Is the concern germs or a chemical or other contaminant? Do you need ready-to-use bottled water now, or have officials said it is safe to treat and store water? How much water will your household need for the expected interruption? A filter or generic disinfection method is not a universal solution, especially when the concern is chemical contamination.
What to do while the water is off
Contact the utility and conserve safe water
Report a suspected interruption to your water provider and check its updates for the cause, affected area, and expected next steps. If you are in a building with a property manager or shared plumbing, notify them as well. Avoid running taps to check repeatedly; it will not restore service and can waste water if supply returns unexpectedly.
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Use water you know is safe for essential needs first, such as drinking and preparing food. If you have no safe stored supply, obtain commercially bottled water or another source that officials identify as safe. Do not rely on water from a source that has been included in an advisory.
Keep household needs in view
Plan separately for drinking, cooking, hygiene, and any care needs in your household. Infants, people who are ill, pregnant people, and pets may need additional water. During an advisory, apply the notice to each activity: CDC guidance identifies drinking, food preparation, handwashing, brushing teeth, making ice, and preparing baby formula among uses that may need safe alternative water when tap water is suspected unsafe.
For infants who use formula during a boil-water advisory, CDC recommends ready-to-use formula if possible. Follow the specific local notice for handwashing and bathing rather than assuming those activities have the same rules as drinking.
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Do not assume that water that is safe for one use is automatically cleared for every use. The notice may specify different directions for drinking, cooking, handwashing, bathing, or other activities. During a boil-water advisory, CDC advises using bottled or boiled water for drinking and preparing food and bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth. Follow local direction for handwashing and bathing. During a do-not-use notice, avoid tap water for every purpose the notice covers and ask officials about safe alternatives.
Follow the advisory type—not a one-size-fits-all treatment
Boil-water advisory
When officials say boiling is appropriate, use bottled water if available or treat tap water according to their instructions. CDC’s method is to settle or filter cloudy water first, then bring the clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute; at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil it for 3 minutes. Let it cool and store it in clean, sanitized containers with covers. Follow local directions if they specify a different method or additional restrictions.
During a boil-water advisory, use bottled or boiled water for drinking and food preparation and for brushing teeth, as applicable to the notice. A standard home pitcher filter does not replace boiling: CDC advises boiling tap water during a boil-water advisory even if it has passed through a home filter.
Boiling is not a general-purpose way to make questionable water safe. It is intended for the germs addressed by a boil-water instruction; it does not destroy heavy metals, salts, or most chemicals. CDC says water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfecting. If officials have issued a do-not-drink or do-not-use notice, do not substitute boiling or generic disinfection for the stated restriction.
Do-not-drink or do-not-use advisory
Do not try to override these notices by boiling or using a general disinfection method. A do-not-drink notice directs people to bottled water for drinking and food uses specified by officials. A do-not-use notice means avoiding tap water for all purposes covered by the warning; contact the health department or utility if you need clarification about contact with water or another household use.
Boiling and disinfection do not remove many chemical hazards. CDC states that water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfecting it. EPA likewise cautions that emergency boiling or disinfection will not destroy heavy metals, salts, or most chemicals. Use another safe source and follow the instructions issued for the specific incident.
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Do not apply a bleach recipe or other treatment directions from a different emergency to an active advisory. The right treatment depends on the water and the product, and local officials determine what is appropriate. EPA notes that authorities may recommend bottled, boiled, or disinfected water depending on the incident; follow their instructions for the affected area.
When there is no safety advisory
If the service is interrupted but officials have not warned that the water is unsafe, do not assume that boiling is necessary. Ask the utility whether a safety notice applies and whether any restrictions are in effect. If an advisory is later issued, switch to its instructions and check whether it covers your address.
Prepare an emergency water supply
CDC recommends storing at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days and suggests trying to store a 2-week supply if possible. As a starting calculation, multiply the number of household members by 1 gallon and then by the number of days you want to cover. For example, the baseline for two people for three days is 6 gallons; a two-week target at that baseline is 28 gallons. This is a preparedness target, not a guarantee that every household’s needs are covered: plan extra for pregnant people, anyone who is sick, pets, or hot climates.
Commercially bottled water is a ready-to-use option. If you fill containers at home, choose FDA-approved, food-grade containers intended for water storage, and replace the stored water every 6 months. A storage container helps keep a known supply available; it does not make contaminated water safe.
- Estimate the household’s daily need using the CDC baseline, then account for household members and conditions that call for more.
- Store water where it will remain accessible if service is interrupted.
- Keep the supply in clean, covered food-grade containers when filling them at home.
- Mark the date home-filled water was stored so you can replace it every 6 months.
Choose between bottled water and home-filled storage based on what you need and can maintain: bottled water is ready to use, while food-grade containers let you store a planned household supply at home. In either case, the water must come from a safe source. A container or filter is not a substitute for following an advisory, and stored water should not be treated as safe simply because it looks clear.
When service returns
Wait for the utility or health department to announce that service is restored and any advisory has ended. Restoration of flow does not necessarily mean every use is immediately permitted. Depending on the incident, officials may instruct residents to flush faucets, service lines, or appliances connected to the water line.
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Use the utility’s exact flushing directions. The duration and steps vary by event, and a generic schedule may not match the contamination or plumbing conditions. If instructions are missing or do not address your building or appliance, contact the water provider before returning to normal use.
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| Situation | What to do | What not to assume |
|---|---|---|
| Water is off and no advisory is posted | Contact the utility, check for updates, and use a safe stored or bottled supply. | Do not assume every outage calls for boiling. |
| Boil-water advisory | Follow the local notice; use bottled or properly boiled water for specified purposes. | A home filter does not substitute for boiling under CDC guidance. |
| Do-not-drink advisory | Use bottled water for drinking and food purposes specified by officials. | Do not assume boiling or disinfection removes chemical hazards. |
| Do-not-use advisory | Avoid tap water for any use covered by the notice and ask officials about safe alternatives. | Do not treat the water unless the notice specifically says how. |
| Service returns or an advisory is lifted | Follow utility instructions for resuming use and any flushing. | Do not apply a universal flushing time. |
Frequently asked questions
Should I boil water whenever my water service is interrupted?
No. An outage does not automatically mean the water is unsafe or that boiling is appropriate. Check the utility’s current notice and ask whether an advisory applies. If officials issue a boil-water advisory, follow its directions; other advisory types can require bottled water or avoiding tap water altogether.
Can I use a home water filter during a boil-water advisory?
A standard home pitcher filter does not replace boiling. CDC advises boiling tap water during a boil-water advisory even if it has passed through a home filter. Follow the notice for the required treatment and uses.
Does boiling remove fuel, chemicals, or heavy metals?
No. CDC says boiling or disinfecting cannot make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials safe. EPA also says boiling or disinfection will not destroy heavy metals, salts, or most chemicals. Use a safe alternative source and follow local instructions.
How much emergency water should I store?
CDC recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days and suggests trying for a 2-week supply if possible. Plan extra for pregnant people, anyone who is sick, pets, or hot climates. Replace water filled into home storage containers every 6 months.
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What should I do after an advisory ends?
Wait for the utility or health department to say the advisory is over, then follow its return-to-service directions. Some incidents require flushing faucets, service lines, or appliances, and the timing varies. Contact the utility if its instructions do not cover your home or appliance.
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Official guidance
- CDC: How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency
- CDC: Boil Water Advisory
- CDC: Create and Store an Emergency Water Supply
- EPA: Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I boil water whenever my water service is interrupted?
No. An outage does not automatically mean the water is unsafe or that boiling is appropriate. Check the utility’s current notice and ask whether an advisory applies. Follow local directions for the specific notice.
Can I use a home water filter during a boil-water advisory?
A standard home pitcher filter does not replace boiling. CDC advises boiling tap water during a boil-water advisory even if it has passed through a home filter.
Does boiling remove fuel, chemicals, or heavy metals?
No. CDC says boiling or disinfecting cannot make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials safe. EPA also says boiling or disinfection will not destroy heavy metals, salts, or most chemicals.
How much emergency water should I store?
CDC recommends at least 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days and suggests trying to store a 2-week supply if possible. Plan extra for pregnant people, anyone who is sick, pets, or hot climates. Replace home-filled stored water every 6 months.
What should I do after an advisory ends?
Wait for the utility or health department to announce that the advisory is over and follow its return-to-service directions. Some incidents require flushing faucets, service lines, or appliances, and the steps vary.
The Bottom Line
Check your utility’s notice first: an outage and a water-safety advisory are not the same problem. Use only water officials identify as safe, follow the advisory’s specific directions, and wait for local clearance and any required flushing before returning to normal use.
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