The City of Dayton has issued a boil advisory for all water customers in the City of Dayton and all Montgomery County water customers. Customers may experience water loss or depressurization today as well.
ALL Montgomery County water customers are impacted by the boil advisory and may be experiencing water loss. These include all or parts of the following jurisdictions: City of Dayton, Harrison Township, Jefferson Township, City of Clayton, City of Riverside, Butler Township. The city of Trotwood. Kettering, Centerville, Washington Township, Miami Township, and Moraine. (Small portions of Vandalia and West Carrollton are also impacted, but only those served by Montgomery County water.)
This will NOT impact jurisdictions with separate systems, such as Oakwood, Huber Heights, Englewood, Miamisburg, and Union. Though on separate systems, small parts of Vandalia (south of I-70) and West Carrollton are on Montgomery County water and are affected.
Why do I have to boil my water?
Your water may become contaminated by bacteria, viruses, protozoa, or parasites during a period of low or no water pressure.
Should I drink bottled water during an advisory?
Yes. If bottled water is available, that is the best option until officials say otherwise. If you do not have bottled water available, the next best option is to boil your tap water to make it safe to drink.
I do not have bottled water available for drinking. How do I boil my water to make it safe to drink?
- Fill a pot with water.
- Heat the water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the pot to the top.
- Keep heating the water for one more minute.
- Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
- Pour water into a clean, sanitized container with a cover for storage.
Can I use my coffee maker, ice machine, or water or soda dispenser?
Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer. Most kitchen and other household water filters typically do not remove or kill all bacteria or viruses.
- Use bottled, boiled, or disinfected water to make coffee and
- More-
- When the boil water advisory is lifted, consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize
Can I use ice from my refrigerator/freezer?
- Do not use ice from ice trays, ice dispensers, or ice
- Throw out all ice made with tap
- Make new ice with bottled, boiled, or disinfected
What should I do about preparing food and beverages? How should I wash fruit, vegetables, and food preparation surfaces?
- Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled, boiled and cooled
- Use bottled or boiled water that has cooled to cook
- Use bottled, boiled and cooled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea, and
- Wash food preparation surfaces with bottled, boiled and cooled water.
What should I do about feeding my baby?
Breastfeeding is best. Continue to breastfeed. If breastfeeding is not an option:
- Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible.
- Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled and cooled water if you do not have bottled water.
- Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples before use with bottled or boiled water.
- If you cannot sterilize bottles, try to use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.
How do I wash dishes during a boil water advisory?
Use disposable plates, cups, and utensils, if possible. If you do not have disposable dishes, follow the instructions below.
Household dishwashers generally are safe to use. If possible, set your dishwasher so it is using a hot water rinse or sanitizing cycle.
To wash dishes by hand:
- Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot
- In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid bleach for each gallon of warm
- Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least 1
- Let the dishes air dry completely before using them
I already drank the water. Will I get sick?
Most people who happen to drink this water will not get sick. If you do get sick, the symptoms are similar to food poisoning: nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and possibly a mild fever.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
The most important thing to do is to avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine, such as soda, coffee, and tea. If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your healthcare provider.
Should I give my pets boiled water?
Yes. Pets can get sick from the same contaminants as people. It is a good idea to give them bottled, boiled, or disinfected water. Boiled water should always be cooled before using.
Do I need to worry about my fish or aquatic pets (e.g., reptiles, frogs)?
Most germs that infect people do not infect reptiles or fish. If your water system is using more chlorine or changing disinfection, be cautious about changing the water in your fish tank or aquarium. Standard aquarium operations require the removal of chlorine and chloramines, which can be toxic to fish and reptiles.
Contact your local pet store or veterinarian for more information.
Is it safe to water my garden and house plants?
Yes, you can use the tap water for household plants and gardens.
Is it safe to let my children play in a kiddie pool filled with tap water?
No. Due to the high chance that children will get water in their mouth while playing in a kiddie pool, we recommend that you avoid using your kiddie pool during the boil water advisory.
What germs or bacteria might be in the water?
Many types of microbes could be in the water. Water systems are concerned about bacteria such as Shigella, viruses such as norovirus, and parasites such as Cryptosporidium.
Human illness from these microbes is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked food, ingesting contaminated recreational or other untreated water, or poor hand-washing. Diarrheal illness from these microbes is not usually life-threatening, except in the elderly, the very young, or those with weak immune systems. If you are concerned, consult your healthcare provider.
Can I use tap water to wash my hands?
You can use tap water and soap to wash your hands. Be sure to scrub your hands with soap and water (warm or cold) for 20 seconds and rinse them well under running water. It is important to dry hands completely with a towel or by letting them air dry.
Can I use tap water to brush my teeth?
No. Use bottled water or boiled water that has cooled to brush your teeth.
Is it safe to take a shower or bath?
Yes, it is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water. Use caution when bathing babies and young children. Consider giving them a sponge bath to reduce the chance of them swallowing water.
What about shaving?
Yes, you can shave as
What about doing laundry?
Yes, it is safe to do laundry as usual.
