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Boil Water Advisory home guidelines

Published  March 8, 2018 12:12am EST
News
FOX 5 Atlanta

ATLANTA - A Boil Water Advisory was issued for all of DeKalb County through the weekend because of the massive 48-inch water main break along Buford Highway early Wednesday morning.

The entire county is under the advisory because the rupture, which happened just north of Interstate 285, was so close to the water treatment facility which supplies the entire county.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which ironically was forced to close their DeKalb County campuses on Wednesday due to the break, has some good guidelines about what to do at home during a Boil Water Advisory”

Boiling water

To boil water:

  • Fill a pot with water.
  • Heat the water until bubbles come from the bottom of the pot to the top.
  • Once the water reaches a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute.
  • Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
  • Pour the water into a clean container with a cover for storage.

Disinfecting water:

  • If you are unable to boil your water, disinfect it instead.
  • 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 in a clean container with a cover.

If tap water is cloudy:

  • Filter water using a clean cloth.
  • 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 in a clean container with a cover.

Remember that containers may need to be sanitized before using them to store safe 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.