A boil water advisory means boil tap water as directed before specified uses because germs may be present. A do not drink advisory means use bottled water or another source specified by local officials for drinking and other restricted uses; boiling may not make the water safe. The exact restrictions depend on the incident, so follow the notice from your water utility or local health department.
Boil water advisory vs. do not drink advisory: what each means
| Question | Boil water advisory | Do not drink advisory |
|---|---|---|
| What it signals | Tap water has or could have germs that can make people sick. | Tap water has or could have chemicals or toxins for which boiling may not be effective. |
| Basic response | Use commercially bottled water or boil tap water as directed. | Use commercially bottled water or another source specified by local officials. Do not assume boiling fixes the problem. |
| Other household uses | The notice may specify separate directions for cooking, teeth brushing, bathing, handwashing, dishes and other uses. | The notice may specify restrictions for cooking, teeth brushing, produce, formula, ice, dishes, cleaning, bathing and other activities. |
| When it ends | Follow the local notice for its end time and any steps required before normal use resumes. | Follow the local notice for its end time and which uses of tap water remain restricted. |
CDC recommendations vary with the germ or chemical involved, and the local notice takes precedence. A third label, do not use, is stricter: CDC says it means not using tap water for any purpose while the advisory is in effect because contact can be dangerous. See the CDC’s Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview.
What to do during a boil water advisory
Boil and store water safely
CDC guidance says to bring clear water to a full rolling boil for 1 minute, or for 3 minutes above 6,500 feet. Let it cool before use. If water is cloudy, CDC’s emergency guidance says to filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel or coffee filter, or let it settle and draw off the clear water before boiling. Store cooled boiled water in clean, sanitized containers with tight covers. See CDC guidance on making water safe in an emergency.
Boiling kills germs; it does not remove chemicals. Do not boil water to try to make it safe from a chemical or toxin advisory. CDC also warns against boiling water contaminated with fuel, toxic chemicals or radioactive materials in its boil water advisory guidance.
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Drinking, food and hygiene
- Use bottled or boiled water for drinking and food preparation, and bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth.
- Handwashing with tap water and soap is possible in many cases, but follow the local notice. Avoid swallowing water while bathing or showering, and take extra care with babies and young children.
- Do not drink or use water or ice from appliances connected to the water line, including refrigerator or freezer dispensers.
- Laundry is safe as usual during a boil water advisory, and tap water can be used for gardens and houseplants, including edible plants, according to CDC guidance.
Dishes
CDC says dishwashers are generally safe if they have a sanitizing cycle or reach a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F (66°C). To wash dishes by hand, CDC recommends washing and rinsing normally, then soaking them for at least 1 minute in a separate basin containing 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach per gallon of warm water. Air-dry them completely. Follow the local notice if it gives different instructions.
What to do during a do not drink advisory
Use commercially bottled water for drinking and cooking, brushing teeth, washing fruits and vegetables, preparing food, mixing baby formula, making ice and giving water to pets, as CDC recommends. Do not use water-line-connected refrigerator or freezer dispensers for water or ice during any drinking-water advisory.
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A do not drink notice may also address dishes, cleaning, bathing, toilet flushing and other activities. Its label alone does not establish identical contact restrictions for every incident. Read the notice or contact the utility or local health department before using tap water for an activity it does not cover.
CDC’s overview of drinking-water advisories explains that recommendations depend on the contaminant and the activity. The CDC Drinking Water Advisory Communication Toolbox glossary puts the distinction plainly: “A Do Not Drink advisory is used if boiling the water will not kill, inactivate, or remove the contaminant of concern, or if boiling would concentrate or release it into the air.”
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How to check whether the advisory applies to you
- Check your water utility’s or local health department’s notice for affected addresses or service areas. Do not assume a nearby advisory covers—or excludes—your home.
- Read the instructions for each use you need, including drinking, cooking, formula, ice, bathing, handwashing and dishes. Ask the utility or health department if the notice is unclear.
- Use the specified water source and treatment, if any. Do not substitute boiling for instructions in a do not drink notice.
- Follow the official update ending the advisory and any instructions it gives for returning to normal use.
CDC guidance on initiating an advisory explains that the situation and contaminant characteristics determine the advisory type, and that notices should identify who is affected, what actions to take, how long the advisory lasts and where to get information.
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