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May 4, 2010
11:00 am
POST BOIL WATER INSTRUCTIONS
Recovery Phase
The Boil Water Order for the Town of Saugus and other communities served by the
MWRA HAS BEEN LIFTED.
What you need to do recover after a boil water order…
Homes:
Residents are advised to “flush” their water following the lifting of the boil order in order to clear plumbing of potentially contaminated water. Flushing your household and building water lines includes interior and exterior faucets; showers; water and ice dispensers; water treatment units, etc.
Please follow these guidelines:
- Cold Water Faucets: Run tap water until the water feels cold, 1 minute or more, before drinking, tooth brushing, or using for food preparation.
- Hot Water Faucets: To clear hot water pipes and water heater of untreated water, turn on all hot water faucets and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes for a typical household 40-gallon hot water tank and 30 minutes for an 80-gallon hot water tank or larger. Never use water from the “hot” faucet for drinking, cooking, or other internal-consumption purposes. After this flushing, hot water is then safe to use for washing hands, and for hand-washing of dishes, pots and pans, etc.
- Refrigerators: Water dispensers from refrigerators should be flushed by at least one quart of water.
- Dishwashers: After flushing hot water pipes and water heater, run dishwasher empty one time.
- Humidifiers: Discard any water used in humidifiers, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), oral, medical or health care devices, and rinse the device with clean water.
- Food and baby formula: Be sure you have discarded any baby formula or other foods prepared with water on the days of the boil order. (If unsure of the dates contact your water Department.)
- Ice cubes: Automatic ice dispensers should be emptied of ice made during the boil order. Then, discard ice made over an additional 24 hour period to assure complete purging of the water supply line.
Due to the flushing of the lines by residents and the flushing of the hydrants, some customers may experience a lack of water pressure and/or discolored water. However, this is an expected result and does not pose a health risk. Contact your local Water Department if you have any questions.
Restaurants and other Food Service Establishments:
What should be done when food establishments have been informed that the water supply is safe again?
The person-in-charge must ensure the following has been completed:
- Flush pipes/faucets: run cold water faucets for at least 5 minutes or follow more detailed directions from your water utility.
- Equipment with waterline connections such as post-mix beverage machines, spray misters, coffee or tea urns, ice machines, glass washers, dishwashers, and other equipment with water connections must be flushed, cleaned, and sanitized in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
- Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle, if relevant.
- Drain reservoirs in tall buildings.
- Flush drinking fountains: run continuously for 5 minutes.
- Ice machine sanitation:
- Flush the water line to the machine inlet
- Close the valve on the water line behind the machine and disconnect the water line from the machine inlet.
- Open the valve, run 5 gallons of water through the valve and dispose of the water.
- Close the valve.
- Reconnect the water line to the machine inlet.
- Open the valve.
- Flush the water lines in the machine.
- Turn on the machine.
- Make ice for 1 hour and dispose of the first batch of ice.
- Clean and sanitize all parts and surfaces that come in contact with water and ice, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Water heaters may need to be disinfected and flushed to remove any contaminated water. Some types of water treatment devices may need to be disinfected and flushed to remove any contaminated water. Some types of water treatment devices may need to be disinfected or replaced before being used. Check with the manufacturer for details.
- Flush restroom faucets:
- Cold Water Faucets: Run tap water until the water feels cold, 1 minute or more.
- Hot Water Faucets: To clear hot water pipes of untreated water, turn on all hot water faucets and flush for a minimum of 15 minutes.
Nursing Homes / Personal Care / Daycare Facilities:
Based upon the type of facility and whether food service operations are taking place, refer to the above-mentioned measures.
Town of Saugus Environmental Health Advisory May 4, 2010
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