Boil Advisory vs. Boil Order

Understanding water quality warnings

WaterOne constantly monitors and tests water quality to ensure the purity of its water. Because of these safeguards, it is rare that water quality is compromised but threats do include backflow from negative system pressure, organic and chemical compounds from source waters, and tampering.

If there is high probability or confirmation of a contamination, WaterOne would notify its customers, regulatory agencies, and community partners, including the media. WaterOne may issue a boil advisory, a boil order, or a do not use water order. Similar to severe weather threats, it's important to understand the meaning of the warning system.

A boil advisory is a precautionary measure issued by the water utility to alert customers when there is a potential for compromised water quality. It is recommended that customers boil all water used in the preparation of food and beverage for consumption for 2 minutes.

A boil order is a confirmation that contamination is present in the water system. It is essential that customers boil all water used in the preparation of food and beverage for consumption for 2 minutes.

This includes water used for:

  • Drinking water (including pets)
  • Brushing teeth
  • Baby formula
  • Washing produce
  • Preparing food
  • Coffee, tea, lemonade, etc.
  • Ice cubes should be thrown out

Water used for laundry, showering/shaving, and watering grass or plants is safe to use without boiling.

Learn more

A "Do Not Use" Water Order

In the worst-case scenario, WaterOne may issue a Do Not Use water order advising customers to not use tap water for any purpose. This would include water for drinking, food prep, personal hygiene (washing hands, brushing teeth, showering), laundry, washing dishes, flushing toilets, outdoor watering, etc. Showering, flushing, and watering outdoors may pose a threat from inhalation under certain conditions.

Thanks to WaterOne's vigilant commitment to safe, pure water, water emergencies are very rare.

How does WaterOne determine that the water is safe to drink and the water advisory can be lifted?

In a declared water emergency, we would collect numerous samples of water throughout our service area and run tests to determine that no contamination is present. It takes WaterOne a minimum of 18 hours after the sample is taken to determine that the water is not contaminated.

WaterOne will follow up with its customers and community partners, including the media, to notify them about the status of the water quality. To receive a personal notification from Notify JoCo, sign up.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stay informed

WaterOne uses Notify JoCo to contact customers directly about their water service. Sign up at NotifyJoCo Website.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. During a major emergency, we will also confirm the information and provide details here at WaterOne Homepage..