To improve the taste of boiled water you can:

• Pour cooled boiled water back and forth from one clean glass or container into another to add air to the water, or
• Let the water stand for a few hours, or
• Add a pinch of salt to each quart of boiled water

Disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites are destroyed by high, sustained heat. Boiling does not remove them from the water, but it does kill them, preventing them from causing illness.

Follow the steps below to properly disinfect water for drinking, cooking and/or brushing teeth.

If tap water is clear:

• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
• Add 1/8 teaspoon (8 drops or about 0.75 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water
• Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking
• Store disinfected water for up to 5 days in a clean container with a cover. Water used after this time needs to be disinfected once again

If tap water is cloudy:

• Pour through a clean cloth or coffee filter
• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
• Add 1/4 teaspoon (16 drops or 1.5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon (16 cups) of water
• Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking
• Store disinfected water for up to 5 days in a clean container with a cover. Water used after this time needs to be disinfected once again

Containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store disinfected water.
To sanitize containers:

• Use unscented bleach (bleach that does not have an added scent)
• Make a sanitizing solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of unscented household liquid bleach in 1 quart (32 ounces, 4 cups or about 1 liter) of water
• Pour this sanitizing solution into a clean storage container and shake well, making sure that the solution coats the entire inside of the container
• Let the clean storage container sit at least 30 seconds, and then pour the solution out of the container
• Let the empty container air dry or rinse it with clean water that has already been made safe, if available

Never use a container to store drinking water if it previously stored milk, fruit juice or any toxic solid or liquid chemicals. If disinfected water has been stored for more than five days, follow the steps listed above to re-disinfect it before use.

Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled water that has cooled, or use bottled water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes before adding food to cook. Use boiled water when preparing drinks, such as coffee, tea and lemonade. Wash food preparation surfaces with boiled water.

No. Water intended for drinking must be vigorously boiled for at least three full minutes before being used to brew coffee or tea, or being mixed with formula, drink concentrates or juices.

• If you breastfeed, continue to do so.
• If you use or supplement with baby formula:
  • Use ready-to-use baby formula, if possible
  • Prepare powdered or concentrated baby formula with bottled water. Use boiled water if you do not have bottled water. Disinfect water for baby formula if you cannot boil your water or don’t have access to bottled water (see above for directions on how to use bleach to disinfect water)
  • Wash and sterilize bottles and nipples with boiled or disinfected water before use.
  • If you cannot sterilize bottles, use single-serve, ready-to-feed bottles.

Do not use water from any appliance connected to your water lines. This includes the water and ice dispensers in your refrigerator/freezer. Use boiled, bottled or disinfected water to make ice — freezing does not disinfect water. If a boil water order was issued, consult the owner’s manual to find out how to sanitize appliances after the boil order is lifted. This is not necessary for customers under a boil water advisory unless City Utilities notifies customers to the contrary.

Water filters in refrigerators and pitchers do not remove bacteria. For under-sink filters, read the manual or check with your installer to determine the filter’s bacteria-removal capabilities. If in doubt, boil the water.

Household dishwashers generally are safe to use if the water reaches a final rinse temperature of at least 150°F or if the dishwasher has a sanitizing cycle. To wash dishes by hand:

• Wash and rinse the dishes as you normally would using hot water
• In a separate basin, add 1 teaspoon of unscented household liquid beach for each gallon of warm water
• Soak the rinsed dishes in the water for at least 1 minute
• Let the dishes air dry completely

No. Use boiled, bottled or disinfected water to brush your teeth.

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 they might swallow water.

Yes, you can shave as usual.

First and foremost, avoid dehydration. If symptoms occur, drink plenty of disinfected fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as soda, coffee and tea because caffeine is a diuretic and causes people to lose water. If you are concerned about your health or the health of a family member, contact your health care provider.

Many pets are susceptible to the same diseases as humans and can transmit the diseases to their owners’ families. Provide them with boiled or bottled water.

Most germs that infect people do not infect reptiles or fish. If you must fill your fish tank while under a boil water advisory or order, check the water’s chlorine levels, which may or may not change slightly. Contact your local pet store or veterinarian for more advice.

This is caused by air in water lines, and is likely a result of repairs City Utilities made to the system. Turn on your tap slowly and run the water until the sputtering stops.

Flush water pipes by running the water until it is clear. Do not wash clothes if the water is discolored. Wait until the water runs clear at the tap. Wash a load of dark clothes first.

Check the faucet screens for trapped particles. Remove the screens and clean out any particles. Put the screens back on the faucet. If low water pressure persists after checking these items, please contact CU Customer Service at 863-9000.