South Floridians are becoming used to not being able to use their tap water. Every week, it seems there’s a boil-water order affecting people’s homes and businesses.
Among the most frequent causes of unsafe water: breaks in water mains or sewer lines; contamination such as E. coli and other bacteria; and power failures at pumping stations.
The most common health problem is severe intestinal issues.
Typically, the orders are lifted after two consecutive days of clean water tests.
Washing your hands
Do not use tap water to wash your hands.
You can use bottled water or cooled water you’ve boiled for at least a minute.
You can use hand sanitizers that don’t require rinsing or hand wipes. Another alternative is a homemade solution of two teaspoons of household bleach in one gallon of water.
Don’t use your hands to touch ready-to-eat food.
Use single-use gloves to prevent spreading bacteria.
Using tap water
Basically, don’t use tap water unless you’ve boiled it for at least a minute. That means no cleaning, dishwashing, brushing your teeth or drinking.
If you don’t have power or can’t boil water, mix 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water and allow to stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy in appearance, add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) and let stand for 30 minutes. The water will be safe to consume but may have a chlorine odor or taste.
Making ice
Ice bagged or made before the boil-water order was issued is still OK to use.
After the order is issued, throw out any ice in your icemaker.
Don’t restart the icemaker until the order is lifted. Clean the interior of the ice machine, ice trays and built-in ice-makers with two teaspoons of household bleach in one gallon of water before restarting the icemaker.
Disconnect or turn off water vending machines, drinking fountains, misters, ice-making units and soda machines and prevent their use.
Replace your water filters.
Washing dishes
Use bottled or boiled water to manually wash dishes.
Don’t use your dishwasher.
Source: City of Wellington Utilities Department
