A boil-water advisory is a public health announcement that the public should boil tap water before drinking it. When issued, the public should assume the water is unsafe to drink.
Advisories can be issued after:
1. Failure of or substantial interruption in water treatment process that result in increased turbidity levels or particle counts and mechanical or equipment failure.
2. Positive test results for pathogens (eg, Cryptosporidium, Giardia or Shigella) in water.
3. Violations of the total coliform rule or the turbidity standard of the surface water treatment rule.
4. Circumstances that compromise the distribution system (eg, watermain break) coupled with an indication of health hazard.
5. A natural disaster (eg, flood, hurricane or earthquake).
Recommendations
Boil-Water Advisories
1. The following apply while a boil-water advisory is in effect:
a. Do not deliver water from the public water system to the patient through the dental operative unit, ultrasonic scaler or other dental equipment that uses the public water system.
b. Do not use water from public water system for dental treatment, patient rinsing or handwashing.
c. For handwashing, use antimicrobial containing products taht do not require water for use (eg, alcohol-based hand rubs). If hands are visibly contaminated, use bottled water, if available, and soap for handwashing or an antiseptic towelette.
2. The following apply when the boil-water advisory is cancelled:
a. Follow guidance given by the local water utility regarding adequate flushing of waterlines. If no guidance is provided, flush dental waterlines and faucets for 1 to 5 minutes before using for patient care.
b. Disinfect dental waterlines as recommended by the dental unit manufacturer.