What does a boil water notice mean?

A precautionary boil water notice is issued when the pressure in part of a water system drops to zero or below, as it does after a water main break: when the pressure is lost, contaminants can get into the pipes. Your water utility issues it, and the Florida Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Protection oversee it.

Until the notice is lifted, bring the water you will drink or cook with to a rolling boil, let it boil for 1 minute, and let it cool, or use bottled water. That includes water for brushing your teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, making ice and giving your pets. Use bottled water for mixing baby formula. If you cannot boil water, the state's guidance is 8 drops of plain, unscented household bleach in each gallon, left to stand 30 minutes. You may shower, bathe, shave and wash with tap water. Most home dishwashers do not get hot enough to sanitize dishes, so wash them in hot, soapy water with a tablespoon of bleach in each gallon.

The notice is lifted after tests of the water show it is safe, which usually takes one to several days. Your utility must tell you about the notice within 24 hours, by phone, email, door hanger or hand delivery, or through the news when a large area is affected, and it tells you again when the notice is lifted. Then run your taps to flush the pipes and throw out any ice made during the notice.

Where to go from here.