Boil Water Advisory has ended, now what?

What to do after a Boil Water Advisory has ended

When a food service establishment is notified that the boil water advisory has ended and the drinking water supply is safe, the following actions need to be taken before you consume the water.

1. FLUSH WATER

• Unscrew and remove the faucet aerator (screen)

• Turn on each cold-water faucet/tap slowly

• Run cold water for five minutes

• Clean and reinstall aerator

2. HOT WATER TANKS/BOILERS

To clear hot water pipes and water heater of untreated water:

• Run hot water only at all faucets and flush until water runs cool or typically for a minimum of:

  • 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank

  • 30 minutes for a hot water tank greater than 40 gallons

  • Consult water system professionals regarding the draining, flushing, or treatment

for large capacity hot water tanks/boilers designed to deliver hot water.

• Hot water is then safe to use for washing of dishes, pots and pans, etc. by hand.

3. CHECK APPLIANCES/DEVICES

Always read and follow the owner’s manual for directions to clean and flush all appliances that use water.

• Flush, clean, and sanitize appliances that use tap water (such as spray misters, coffee and tea urns, ice machines, glass washers, dishwashers) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Run water softeners through a regeneration (flush) cycle.

• After flushing hot water piping, run empty dishwasher one time.

Beverage Dispensers

• Flush, clean, and sanitize beverage dispensers according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Consult service representative for further information on procedures for your specific unit.

  
  

Drinking Fountains / Water Coolers

• Run drinking fountains continuously for 5 minutes to flush the system.

• Replace filter if applicable.

Water Filters

Water filters that are commonly used in refrigerators, faucets, and under the sink, etc. are not designed to remove the specific bacteria commonly present during boil water advisory. If you ran water through your filter during the boil water advisory, the filter could be contaminated.

• Remove and discard water filters

• Replace with a new filter following flushing

Note: If you cannot flush or run water when filter is removed, replace with new filter after flushing. Always follow manufacturer’s directions for filter replacement.

Ice Machines

• Discard ice from ice machines.

• Clean and sanitize per manufacturer’s instructions.

• Flush ice machines by following the manufacturer’s instructions, including:

  • Flush the water line to the machine inlet.

  • Close the valve on the water line behind the machine.

  • Disconnect the water line from the machine inlet.

  • Open the valve and run 5 gallons of water through the valve. Dispose of this water.

  • Close the valve.

  • Reconnect the water line to the machine inlet.

  • Open the valve.

  • Replace any filters and sanitize filter holders.

  • Flush the water lines in the machine.

  • Turn on the machine.

  • Make ice for 1 hour and dispose of this ice.

  • Clean and sanitize all parts and surfaces that come in contact with water and ice per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Contact the local health department with any questions you may have that are not covered in this post.

10.20.26: Morgan County Health Department staff reported to the Berkeley County Health Department this morning at planned and while phone messages are being checked, you can call them directly using the Berkeley County Health Department phone number: 304-263-5131. The Morgan County Health Department will open for normal business hours at 8:30am on Wednesday, 10.21.26.