Dear Home Ec 101:
I live in Hurricane Country and there are often boiling water advisories after a storm. How long am I supposed to boil the water before it is safe to drink?
~Avoiding the Runs in Ravenel
Dear Avoiding the Runs in Ravenel,
Boil water advisories are more common than you may think.
They are quite common if the power is disrupted for an extended period of time and water pumping stations may not be able to maintain adequate pressure in the lines, but they are also issued for line breaks, positive tests for contamination, and occasionally when maintenance is being done.
Boil Water Advisories
Water should be brought to a roiling boil and boiled for one minute. Begin timing when the bubbles appear and break the surface.
Allow the water to cool and place in a clean, covered container.
These advisories also apply to more than just drinking water. It affects water used for toothbrushing, cleaning produce, and ice making. Be sure to use boiled water for these purposes, as well.
You do not need to use boiled water for any food preparation that includes boiling or a long simmer as part of the process, as that step will kill any pathogen of concern.
Showering is typically safe for adults and teenagers, but young children should be given sponge baths.
Dishes can safely be washed in hot water with a small amount of bleach (one tablespoon per gallon).
After the advisory has been lifted, flush the pipes by running each cold water tap for one minute. If you have an automatic ice maker, discard the first three batches.
Remember, most filters, such as those in a fridge, are for taste and odors, not harmful bacteria.
