A boil order is issued by the operator in charge of a public water supply any time there is a
possibility of bacterial contamination in the public water supply. This most frequently happens
if a line breaks or during a line repair, but could happen if routine water sampling test results
show bacteria. A boil order does not necessarily mean that there is contamination, only that
there could be contamination. A boil order in the case of a main break or repair is a
precautionary measure that is implemented until a water sample can be tested at a laboratory to
determine if there is bacteria present.

A boil order has been issued to your water system because either recent testing has shown the
presence of organisms that could cause illness, e.g., fecal or E. coli bacteria, or technical/physical
problems in the water system have significantly increased the possibility of bacterial
contamination. Bringing water above the boiling point of water (212° Fahrenheit) kills any
bacteria that are present so that they do not pose a health risk to the consumer of the water.

Boiling the water is the best way to ensure that it is free of illness-causing organisms. Bring
water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes. When it cools, refrigerate the water in clean containers.
(A pinch of salt per quart may improve the rather “flat” taste of boiled water.) If you do not
want to boil your water, you can disinfect it by adding 1/8 teaspoon of bleach (common
household bleach containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Do not use
bleach containing perfume, dyes, or other additives.

Buying bottled water may be a feasible alternative to boiling water. Bottled water operations are
routinely inspected, and samples are periodically analyzed to ensure they meet health standards.

Drinking………………………….No
Ice cubes………………………….No, and existing ice cubes should be
thrown out.
Brushing teeth……………………No
Baby’s formula…………………..No
Washing fruit/vegetables………...No
Preparing food…………………...No
Coffee, tea, lemonade, etc……….No
Laundry…………………………..Yes
Watering grass or garden………...Yes, but fruits/vegetables must be washed using preboiled
or bottled water before consumption.
 

It is recommended that you wash your hands using soap and either bottled water or pre-boiled
water. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may also be used.

Adults may continue to shower as long as no water is swallowed. Sponge baths are
recommended for children using a clean supply of water if possible. After you bathe or shower,
wash your hands in chlorinated or bottled/boiled water.
People with open wounds or who are immuno-compromised should avoid showering in
contaminated tap water.

You may use a dishwasher if it has a sanitizing cycle. If it does not have a sanitizing cycle, or
you are not sure if it does, you may hand wash dishes and utensils by following these steps:

• Wash the dishes as you normally would.
• As a final step, immerse the dishes for at least one minute in lukewarm water to which a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water has been added.
• Allow the dishes to completely air dry

Although pets are not normally affected by the same diseases as humans, caution suggests giving
pets pre-boiled or bottled water.

The Health Department is responsible for checking area restaurants to confirm that safe practices
are being followed. Special procedures are required for them to ensure that food preparation and
handling is done in a safe manner. Additional procedures are also required to provide safe
dishwashing.

They are safe as long as proper levels of treatment are maintained. Water from swimming pools
should never be consumed.

Cleaning the breast area with soap and bottled water or water boiled for 3-5 minutes and cooled
prior to feeding will provide assurance that the child does not ingest contaminants that may be on
the skin.

Boil orders are lifted once the water sample has been determined in the lab to contain no
bacteria. Therefore, once the boil order is lifted, you may resume normal use of the water
supply. However, boil orders are typically issued when there has been disturbance in some
portion of the water supply lines. Disturbances may stir up sediments in the water lines and
allow them to be distributed to your water faucets. It is recommended that you flush your lines
by running the water for at least three minutes before using the water for the first time following
a boil order. You should also clean your faucet aerator screens to remove any sediments.
Following these precautions should reduce the potential of exposure to any sediments including
lead.

Anyone who ingests contaminated water may become ill. Infants, young children, the elderly,
and people with severely compromised immune systems are more at risk of illness.

Disease symptoms may include diarrhea, cramps, nausea and possible jaundice and associated
headaches and fatigue. Symptoms may appear as early as a few hours to several days after
infection and may last more than two weeks. These symptoms, however, are not just associated
with disease-causing organisms in drinking water; they may also be caused by a number of other
factors. If you are ill with these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

There is nothing you can do about the exposure you have already received. If you become ill,
contact your health care provider. Follow the above recommendations about using your water
until you are told the water is safe. Water sample results are available at the public water supply
after the results are returned from the laboratory. The results indicate if bacteria was found in the
water sample.

E. coli is a sub-group of the fecal coliform bacteria group.
There are many strains of E. coli, most of which are harmless, but some strains can cause illness.
E. coli outbreaks receive much media coverage. Most outbreaks have been related to food
contamination (not water) caused by a specific strain of E. coli O157:H7. When a drinking water
sample is reported as “E. coli positive,” it does not mean that this specific strain is present and in
fact, it is probably not present. However, it does indicate recent fecal contamination. Boiling or
treating contaminated drinking water with a disinfectant destroys all forms of E. coli, including
O157:H7.

Each boil order situation is different making it impossible to predict how long the boil order will
remain in effect. It will not be lifted until testing shows that the water meets public health
standards. Each water sample taken to the laboratory must be incubated for several hours to
perform the test. There are no shortcuts to the testing time. The water sampling laboratory will
notify the City of Tuscola when the boil order can be lifted, and the City will, in turn, notify you.

Anyone who receives a bill for water services from the local municipality that is under a boil
order should observe the boil order. Private well water should never be connected to a public
water supply.