After water service returns, check your water utility’s current notice and any health-department advisory before using tap water normally. Follow the utility’s instructions for whether to flush the service line, faucets, household plumbing, or connected appliances—and for how long. There is no universal flush time. If the interruption involved a pressure drop and no advisory instructions override it, CDC advises flushing each faucet and shower until the water starts to get hot and runs clear, then contacting the utility.
First, check why service stopped and whether an advisory is active
Look for a notice from your water utility or local health department. An interruption alone does not tell you whether the water is safe to drink, nor does clear water prove safety after a contamination event. EPA says utilities should tell customers whether and how to flush service lines, household plumbing, faucets, and water-connected appliances. The steps and duration depend on the plumbing and outlets involved. See the EPA customer FAQ on drinking-water advisories.
If an advisory is still in effect, its restrictions take priority over household flushing. A lifted advisory may still include instructions for flushing before normal use. Do not assume that service restoration or a clear tap means an advisory has ended.
Know which restriction applies
- Boil-water advisory: Use bottled water or boil water as local officials direct for drinking and food preparation. CDC’s general instruction is a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet; follow the specific notice. CDC explains drinking-water advisories.
- Do-not-drink advisory: This can involve chemicals or toxins that boiling will not remove. Follow the notice; do not try to make the water safe by boiling it.
- Do-not-use advisory: Do not drink or use tap water for any purpose while the notice remains active. Follow local officials’ instructions for alternatives.
Flush after a pressure drop when no incident-specific instructions override it
For a noticeable drop in water pressure, CDC advises flushing every faucet and shower in the home until the water begins to get hot and runs clear, without discoloration. Contact the utility for recommendations and report the pressure decrease. This is a pressure-drop procedure, not a universal schedule for every service interruption or water-quality advisory. CDC household guidance on drinking water and private wells provides the pressure-drop instruction.
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- Check the utility’s alert and any health advisory first.
- At each faucet and shower, run the water until it starts to get hot and runs clear, unless the utility gives a different sequence or endpoint.
- Contact the utility if pressure remains low, or if the water stays discolored, cloudy, or unusual in odor.
There is no fixed number of minutes that applies to every home. EPA says flushing times vary with the plumbing and outlets being cleared, and CDC’s advisory guidance leaves the post-advisory duration to local authorities. Do not substitute an arbitrary whole-house flush time for the utility’s directions.
Respond to sputtering, discoloration, or continuing low pressure
If a tap sputters
Sputtering can occur when air is in the lines. Open the tap slowly and let it run until sputtering stops. If the problem continues, contact the utility.
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If water is discolored
Run the tap until the water runs clear, but do not wash clothes while the water is discolored. If discoloration persists, contact the utility rather than assuming that continued flushing is enough.
If pressure remains low
Particles can become trapped at faucet screens. CDC’s Water Emergency Toolbox suggests checking and cleaning the screens if low pressure continues. Follow the faucet manufacturer’s directions, and do not force an aerator that does not unscrew normally.
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Handle appliances and filters separately
Refrigerators, ice makers, filters, softeners, and water heaters are separate plumbing endpoints; faucet flushing does not automatically clear or service them. Follow the utility’s instructions and the appliance or filter manufacturer’s directions. After an advisory, the CDC toolbox directs customers to consult owner manuals for water softeners and filter units and gives separate instructions for refrigerator dispensers and ice makers, including discarding ice and replacing a connected filter when called for.
Do not improvise a water-heater flush based on faucet instructions. EPA advises following the heater manufacturer’s directions or having a professional handle it.
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Do not confuse an interruption with routine flushing after disuse
For a faucet or showerhead that has been unused for a week or more, CDC’s 2024 general guidance is to run cold water fully for two minutes, turn it off, then run hot water until it starts to feel hot. That routine addresses stagnant water after disuse; it does not replace utility directions after an actual service interruption or drinking-water advisory. CDC guidance for maintaining building water systems describes the disuse procedure.
EPA notes that stagnant water can have reduced disinfectant levels and conditions that promote Legionella and other bacteria. When flushing infrequently used outlets, reduce splashing and spray where feasible, and flush cold water before hot when addressing stagnation. These routine measures are distinct from incident-specific directions after a utility interruption.
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