A Boil Water Advisory is a notice to owners of water distribution systems - and to the people who receive water from a system – that the water is unfit for human consumption and must be boiled for at least one minute prior to drinking. A Boil Water Advisory is issued when:
- Adverse test results show evidence of pathogens or contaminants in the water, or
- There is evidence that the water is untreated or has been inadequately treated.
A Boil Water Advisory may involve faxes, written communiqués, an extensive public media campaign, personal phone calls and possibly door-to-door visits – whatever is needed to inform the public about unsafe water and protect them from water-borne illness until a water problem is resolved.